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THE 


LIFE    AND    LABORS 


OF 


^ 


REV,  SAMUEL  WORCESTER,  D.  D. 


'    FORMER    PASTOR   OF   THE    TABERNACLE   CHURCH,    SALE31,   MASS. 


BY    HIS    SON,  . 


SAMUEL   M.   WORCESTER,  D.  D. 

(    PRESENT   PASTOR   OF   THE   TABERNACLE    CHURCH. 


VOL.   I. 

) 


B  O  S  T  O  N: 

PUBLISHED    BY    CROCKER    A^,\}    BREWSTER, 
47,   Washington-street. 

1852. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S52, 

BY  CROCKER  AND  BREWSTER, 

In  the  Clerk's  OfRce  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


v/ 


To  MY  Mother, 

With  gratitude  to  God, 

for  her  many  virtues, 

and  her  "  length  of  days  j" 
This  Memorial  of  an  endeared  life, 

IN    HONOR    OF    "  OUR    LoRD    JeSUS     ChRIST, 

of  whom  the  whole  family 

IN    HEAVEN    and    EARTH    IS    NAMED." 

IS    MOST    AFFECTIONATELY    AND 
DUTIFULLY    INSCRIBED 
♦  BY    HER   ELDEST    SoN, 

SAMUEL  MELANCTHON  WORCESTER. 
Salem,  Jan.  1,  1852. 


v.,  ^-v  ->  ^'* 


CONTENTS. 


Introduction, vii-xii 

CHAPTER     I. 

Nativity  and  Extraction.  Sketches  of  Rev.  William  Worcester,  of 
Salisbury,  iNIass. ;  Mr.  Samuel  Worcester  and  Mr.  Francis  Wor- 
cester, of  Bradford,  Mass. ;  Rev.  Francis  Worcester,  of  Sand- 
wich, Mass  ,  and  of  Hollis,  N.  H. ;  and  Noah  Worcester,  Esq.,  of 
Hollis,  N.  II.  ;  with  illustrative  references  to  events,  persons,  and 
circumstances  of  their  times  respectively 1-SO 

CHAPTER     II. 

Personal  appearance.  Dangerous  sickness  in  infancy.  Early  indi- 
cations of  disposition  and  future  character.  General  view  of  his 
intellectual  powers  and  tendencies.  Family  education.  The  elder 
brothers  and  sisters.  Fraternal  and  other  reminiscences.  Teaches 
school.  Revival  of  religion,  17S6.  Hopeful  conversion.  Happy 
impressions  from  the  triumphant  death  of  a  sister.  .        .        .    81-lOS 

CHAPTER     III. 

Desire  of  professional  life.  Resistance  by  his  father.  A  student 
at  New  Ipswich  Academy.  Oration  before  the  Demosthenian 
Society,  llth  of  October,  1791.  Enters  Dartmouth  College. 
Feelings  towards  the  Faculty.  Surrounding  influences.  Joins  the 
Church  of  Salisbury,  N.  H.  General  spirit  of  character.  A  mar- 
tial element.  Pecuniary  pressure.  High  standard  of  scholarship. 
Tokensof  esteem  and  respect.  Correspondence.  Fourth  of  July 
Oration,  1795.    Choice  of  profession.    Valedictory,  at  Hanover.        108-149 

CHAPTER     IV. 

Studies  for  the  ministry.  State  of  the  times.  Residence  at  Wor- 
cester. Correspondence.  Palemon  to  Alexis.  Teaches  at  Hollis. 
Preceptor  of  the  Academy  at  New  Ipswich.  Licensed  to  preach. 
First  Sermons.  His  manner  in  the  pulpit.  Prejudices  in  his 
native  town.  Oration,  Fourth  of  July,  179G.  Leaves  New  Ips- 
wich. Correspondence.  Settlement  at  Fitchburg,  Mass..  149-203 
A* 


VI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER     V. 

Habits  and  modes  of  procedure,  as  a  settled  minister.  Marriage. 
Domestic  management.  Instruction  of  young  men.  Renewal  of 
covenant  in  the  Church,  with  the  adoption  of  new  Articles  of 
Faith,  &:c.  Palemon  to  Alexis.  Parental  feelings  and  character. 
Anecdote  of  the  preaching  of  the  brothers,  Noah,  Thomas,  and 
Samuel.  Revival  at  Fitchburg.  Revivals  in  many  places.  Mis- 
sionary spirit  promoted.  Formation  of  the  Massachusetts  Mis- 
sionary Society.  Vindication  of  the  truth,  and  of  ministerial 
rights.     Oration  on  the  death  of  Washington,  &c.,  &c.         .        .  204-262 

CHAPTER    Vr. 

Sermons  on  the  punishment  of  the  wicked.  The  "  Fitchburg  con- 
troversy." Efforts  of  the  legal  voters  of  the  town,  to  control  the 
pastor  and  the  church.  Mutual  Council,  June  22,  ISOl.  Ex  parte 
Council,  Sept.  15,  ISOl.  Protest  of  the  church.  "  Facts  and 
Documents,"  &c.  Further  measures  of  opposition.  Proposals  of 
conciliation,  &c.  Second  Ex  parte  Council.  Council  of  advice  to 
the  church.  Third  Ex  parte  Council.  Second  Mutual  Council. 
Farewell  to  Fitchburg 263-356 

CHAPTER     VII. 

Invited  to  preach  at  Salem.  The  Tabernacle  Church.  Movements 
at  Rowley  and  Fitchburg.  Embarrassed  question  of  duly.  First 
parental  atlliction.  Installation  at  Salem.  Mass.  Miss.  Magazine. 
Popular  estimation  of  his  preaching  and  devotional  services. 
Appointment  at  Dartmouth  College.  Revival.  Death  of  his 
eldest  daughter.  Committee  of  Advice,  on  the  subject  of  Pro- 
fessorship. Regard  for  the  Pulpit.  Burning  of  Sermons.  So- 
licitude for  church  members.  Courses  of  Sermons  and  Lec- 
tures.    Occasional  Sermons.     Models  of  prayers.  .        .        .  356-415 

CHAPTER     VIII. 

Weekly  meetings.  Church  discipline.  Report  on  "disorderly 
walk."  Answers  to  questions  of  order  and  usage.  Declaratory 
Articles,  and  Correspondence  respecting  dismissions  to  Baptist 
chnrches.  Illustrations  of  Christian  fellowship.  Catholic  and 
noble  spirit.  Discourses  on  the  Abraliamic  Covenant.  Failure 
of  health.  Southern  tour.  Letters  to  Dr.  Baldwin,  in  vin- 
dication of  Discourses,  &c.  Reflections  on  his  birth-day,  Nov. 
},  1S07.       ............  415-163 


INTRODUCTION. 


Whatever  reason  may  be  assigned,  the  history  of  the  Church 
and  of  our  country  has  been  too  little  known  among  us,  or  too 
little  regarded.  This  remark  applies  to  some,  whose  reputation 
for  general  intelligence  should  denote  ''  a  perfect  understanding  of 
all  things  from  the  very  first."  We  may  thus  explain  the  very 
illusive  views  and  erroneous  opinions  of  many,  as  it  respects 
the  introduction  of  the  missionary  element  into  the  spirit  and 
character  of  our  institutions  and  our  times. 

Some  appear  to  be  well  satisfied,  by  doing  honor  to  a  few  more 
recent  names.  Others  may  find  it  sufficiently  agreeable,  to  exult 
in  the  advanced  position,  which  it  is  our  privilege  to  have  reached. 
It  is  not  very  strange,  perhaps,  since  as  compared  with  the  early 
part  of  the  present  century,  the  objects  and  anticipations  of  chris- 
tian philanthropy  have  so  entirely  changed  the  prevailing  habits 
of  thought  and  modes  of  expression.  The  minds  of  the  people  are 
not  now  absorbed  in  watching  the  progress  of  the  revolution  in 
France;  nor  is  the  word  "march  "  applied,  with  a  thrill  of  mili- 
tary sensation,  to  every  political  and  moral  movement.  At  the 
present  day,  the  language  of  literature  and  popular  eloquence  has 
not  a  more  favorite  or  acceptable  term,  than  the  word  Mission. 

This  is  a  truly  auspicious  token  of  progress  in  the  right  direc- 
tion, and  is  of  itself  a  volume  in  proof  of  such  progress.  But  there 
were  "days  of  old,"  which  are  not  now  to  be  ''despised,"  as 
"days  of  small  things."  And  there  is  "a  reconl  on  high,"  we 
may  be  grateful  to  believe,  which  "Time's  effacing  fingers"  can 
never  touch  j  and  which  it  is  wise  in  all  to  consider,  if  they  would 

"  share  a  glorious  pari  " 

in  the  recompense  of  "  works  of  faith,"  and  "  labors  of  love,"  and 
"  afflictions  accomplished  in  brethren,"  "  of  whom  the  world  was 
not  worthy." 


Vlll  INTRODUCTION. 

In  the  Protestant  and  Puritan  settlement  of  New  England,  be- 
fore the  Jesuits  had  made  the  conquest  of  the  territory,  God's 
hand  is  to  be  adoringly  acknowledged,  as  also  in  preserving  the 
secret  of  the  vast  American  continent,  until  the  approaching  strug- 
gle of  the  Reformation.  The  enterprise  of  1620  was  not  of  human 
device  or  worldly  policy.  From  Him,  who  is  "wonderful  in  coun- 
sel and  excellent  in  working,"  the  sublime  conception  of  a  Com- 
monwealth, to  be  founded  in  the  North  American  wilderness  by  a 
few  exiled  Puritans,  must  have  originated.  And  by  his  favor  only, 
in  sovereign  election  or  preference,  were  those  institutions  estab- 
lished by  our  forefathers,  which,  in  less  than  fifty  years  from  the 
commencement  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony,  afforded  such  occa- 
sion for  the  admiring  and  rejoicing  testimony  of  the  fourth  Presi- 
dent of  Harvard  College  : — "  I  look  upon  this  as  a  little  model  of 
the  glorious  kingdom  of  Christ  on  eaith.  Christ  reigns  among  us 
in  the  Commonwealth,  as  w^ell  as  in  the  Church,  and  hath  his 
glorious  interest  involved  in  the  good  of  both  Societies  respect- 
ively."* 

For  a  long  period,  America  was  to  Christians  of  Europe,  the 
great  field  of  missionary  effort.  It  is  even  maintained,  that  the  in- 
spiring idea  of  Columbus  was  derived  from  the  prophecies;  and 
that  Isabella,  his  patron,  made  the  conversion  of  the  heathen  an 
object  "paramount  to  all  the  rest."  When  our  Fathers  came 
hither,  these  were  all  '■'•foreign  parts  :^^  it  was  all  heathen  ground. 
Long  after  their  coming,  the  churches  in  England  were  accus- 
tomed to  pray  in  their  songs  : — 

"  Dark  America  convert, 
And  every  pagan  land." 

And  in  some  places,  these  lines  are  still  sung,  strangely  as  they 
sound  to  the  ear  of  a  New  England  man  who  may  chance  to  bear 
them.  So  vast  is  the  change;  so  accustomed  are  we  to  our  Chris- 
tian institutions  ;  that  we  are  all  in  danger  of  forgetting,  that  we 
live  upon  the  soil  that  has  been  rescued  from  Paganism.  NeveVj 
never  should  it  be  forgotten  !  And  never  should  it  be  forgotten, 
that  the  settlement  of  New  England  was  in  reality,  though  not 
in  name,  a  Missionary  Enterprise.  Or,  if  any  prefer  to  call  it  by 
other  terms,  it  may  be  called  a  Mission  of  Evangelical  Coloniza- 
tion; and  it  may  be  proclaimed  in  every  language,  as  the  sub- 
limest  mission  of  modern  times. 

*  Election  Sermon  of  Pres.  Oakes,  1675. 


INTRODUCTION.  IX 

Those  persecuted  and  exiled  Puritans  had  no  such  purpose  in 
coming  hither,  as  has  often  been  ascribed  to  thenn,  even  by  some 
of  their  favored  descendants.  It  was  not  for  political  immunities, 
nor  republican  institutions.  In  the  "love  of  Christ  constraining" 
them,  it  was  for  the  advancement  of  that  Reformation,  which,  a 
century  after  it  had  moved  all  Christendom,  was  still  but  in  part 
accomplished  ;  for  they  were  not  satisfied,  that  the  "  Prince  of 
Life  "  should  only  be  acknowledged  by  the  church,  in  his  propheti- 
cal and  priestly  oflices.  It  was,  that  as  *'  the  Lord's  freemen," 
they  might  give  him  his  kingly  right,  and  thus  be  "complete 
in  him,  which  is  the  Head  of  all  principality  and  power."  It  was, 
that  in  the  "  liberty,"  "  wherewiih  the  Son  makes  free,"  ihey 
might  enjoy  the  gospel,  without  "human  mixtures  and  tempta- 
tions ;"  and  worship  in  peace,  "  while  worshipping  in  spirit  and 
in  truth."  It  was  for  the  holier  and  surer  training  of  a  consecrated 
progeny,  at  the  distance  of  a  "  nine  hundred  league  ocean,"  from 
the  corruptions  of  the  old  world.  And  not  least  of  all  in  their  de- 
sires and  hopes,  was  the  salvation  of  the  benighted  heathen,  while 
in  every  way  which  should  be  prepared  before  them,  they  would 
toil  and  pray  for  the  enlargement  of  the  kingdom  of  "  the  Lord 
of  all." 

These  were  their  motives  and  ends  in  separating  themselves 
from  the  Church  of  England,  which  originally  adopted  the  Refor- 
mation from  paramount  purposes  of  state  policy.  Above  all  things, 
it  was  in  their  hearts  to  call  no  man  master,  but  to  obey  Him  as 
their  King,  whose  inspired  word  was  their  sun,  and  whose  atoning 
blood  was  their  eternal  life.  For  this  it  was,  that  in  the  pure  and 
undying  "  love  of  their  espousals,"  they  "  went  after  him  in  the 
wilderness,  in  a  land  that  was  not  sown."  And  in  their  own 
graphic  expression,  it  was  in  a  "  wilderness  world,"  that  they  built 
their  habitations  and  their  sanctuaries.  For  an  object,  holy  and 
sublime  as  ever  angels  celebrated,  they  lived  here  in  hunger  and 
in  cold,  and  toiled  and  watched  in  weariness  and  in  painfulness  j 
where,  when  the  bullock  lowed,  the  wild  beast  answered  him  j 
and  where,  at  the  rustling  of  a  leaf,  the  fond  mother  clasped  her 
infant  closer  to  her  bosom.  All  the  charters  enjoined  upon  the 
colonists  the  duty  of  instructing  and  christianizing  the  pagan  abo- 
rigines. The  seal  of  the  Massachusetts  colony  is  a  true  exponent 
of  the  aims  and  aspirations  of  our  fathers.  In  expressive  harmony 
with  their  benignant  desires,  they  adopted  the  figure  of  an  aborig- 
inal,  with  the  memorable  words  of  the  ^'  man  of  Macedonia." 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

Nothing,  therefore,  was  further  from  their  hearts  than  the  wish  or 
the  thought  of  colonizing  au  immense  "  howling  wilderness,"  and 
redeeming  it  for  "a  goodly  heritage,"  at  the  price  of  the  blood  of 
the  children  of  its  forests  and  its  streams. 

If  the  venerated  Robinson  had  occasion  to  write  to  the  Governor 
of  Plymouth, — "  0  that  you  had  converted  some,  before  you  had 
killed  any," — it  was  not  because  these  were  wantonly  destroyed, 
or  hunted  down  as  "tawny  and  bloody  salvages;"  nor  because 
their  moral  ignorance  and  wretchedness  were  not  distinct  objects 
of  early  and  intense  solicitude.  In  less  than  two  years,  one  of  the 
Plymouth  settlers  was  specially  designated  to  promote  the  con- 
version of  the  Indians;  and  as  early  as  Dec.  1621,  Elder  Robert 
Cushman  made  an  appeal  to  his  friends  in  England,  in  behalf  of 
"  those  poor  heathen."  In  1636,  the  Plymouth  Colony  provided 
by  law  for  the  "preaching  of  the  Gospel  among  them." 

In  the  labors  of  Eliot,  the  Mayhews,  and  others  of  no  less  re- 
nown, it  may  be,  in  heaven  ;  and  in  the  contributions  and  personal 
sacrifices  of  those,  who  out  of  their  "  deep  poverty  "  sustained 
them, — the  first  generation  of  New  England  furnished  examples 
of  as  pure  missionary  zeal,  as  has  ever  yet  found  a  record  or  a 
grateful  notice  in  the  uninspired  annals  of  redemption.  And  to  all 
human  appearance,  far  distant  is  the  day,  when  the  "  thousand  " 
of  thousands  shall  "become  "  as  the  "little  one"  was,  and  the 
"strong  nation  "  as  "  the  small  one,"  in  the  all-pervading  and  en- 
nobling power  of  such  zeal,  for  the  salvation  of  the  perishing. 

The  honor  of  the  first  plan  in  England  for  sending  missionaries 
to  the  heathen,  has  by  mistake  been  given  to  that  wonderful  man, 
whose  character  is  now  at  last  receiving  a  just  and  brilliant  vindi- 
cation, against  the  atrocious  calumnies,  which  have  prevailed  for 
two  centuries.  But  the  magnificent  design  of  Cromwell,  which 
contemplated  the  establishment  of  a  Council  for  the  Protestant  re- 
ligioU;  in  opposition  to  the  Jesuitical  combination  at  Rome,  and 
which  was  intended  to  embrace  the  East  and  West  Indies,  in  its 
fourth  department  of  operation, — was  more  than  thirty  years  later, 
than  the  manifesto  of  the  Pilgrims,  declaratory  of  the  "great 
hope  and  inward  zeal  they  had,  of  laying  some  good  foundation 
for  the  propagation  and  advancement  of  the  Gospel  in  these  re- 
mote parts  of  the  world  !" 

A  Society  had  been  formed  in  England,  and  collections  had 
been  taken,  in  aid  of  the  missions  of  Eliot  and  his  associates.  It 
is  beyond  a  doubt,  that  the  first  settlers  of  New  England  were  the 


INTRODUCTION.  XI 

first  Englishmen,  who  devised  and  executed  a   mission   to   llie 
heathen  ! 

As  early  as  1G46,  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  passed  an 
act  for  the  propagation  of  the  gospel  among  the  Indians.  From 
that  day  onward,  more  or  less  of  legislative  provision  has  been 
made  for  their  religious  instruction,  as  well  as  their  social  comfort. 
And  with  all  the  changes  that  have  passed  over  the  "fathers" 
and  the  "children's  children,"  there  never  has  been  a  time,  when 
they  have  not  furnished  some  laborers  in  the  heathen  part  of  this 
western  world. 

For  almost  two  hundred  years,  the  condition  of  our  country  and 
the  state  of  the  world  at  large,  very  naturally  defined,  and,  it  may 
not  be  too  much  to  say,  very  prrperly  circumscribed,  the  mission- 
ary field  of  these  churches.  They  were  poor,  and  there  were 
"many  adversaries."  They  may  not  have  "done  what  they 
could."  But  they  did  a  great  and  marvellous  work.  And  the 
spread  of  the  Gospel  throughout  the  earth,  was  ever  in  the  minds 
and  the  supplications  of  many  "faithful  men  in  Christ  Jesus." 

To  pray  for  the  conversion  of  the  whole  world,  in  the  concert  of 
prayer  recommended,  the  year  previous,  by  the  churches  of  Scot- 
land, was,  in  1747,  the  dying  injunction  of  David  Brainerd  to  his 
beloved  Christian  Indians.  But  the  time  had  not  really  come,  un- 
til the  last  generation,  when  a  Gordon  Hall  could  reasonably  be 
expected  to  take  up  the  mantle  of  Brainerd ;  and  leaving  the  hea- 
then of  our  own  territories,  go  forth  to  the  far  distant  Gentiles. 
And  it  is  very  wide  from  the  truth,  to  assume  or  believe,  that  any 
who  first  went  from  these  shores  to  the  heathen  of  the  Oriental 
continent  and  islands,  or  that  any  others,  who,  like  Nettleton  and 
Mills,  so  ardently  and  early  desired,  without  ever  enjoying,  a  for- 
eign field  of  personal  toU  avid  trial,  are  entitled  to  an  emblazoned 
remembrance ;  as  if  the  conception  of  the  arduous  and  glorious 
work  to  which  so  many  are  now  consecrated,  had  never  entered 
the  minds  of  the  fathers,  who  had  not  yet  fallen  asleep,  or  of 
brethren  in  the  Lord,  who,  in  some  domestic  locality,  were  bear- 
ing the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day. 

Pre-eminent  among  these  last  was  the  revered  and  beloved 
man,  whose  name  is  so  inseparably  and  honorably  identified  with 
the  more  recent  and  renowned  developement  of  the  spirit  and 
power  of  Am.erican  Missions. 

Considered  by  himself  alone,  it  would  be  comparatively  easy  to 
narrate  the  leading  events  of  his  life,  and  portray  the  lineaments 


Xii  INTRODUCTION. 

of  his  character.  No  one,  perhaps,  who  has  made  a  deep  and  in- 
delible impression  upon  his  contemporaries,  ever  had  a  more  de- 
cided individuality  or  a  more  independent  personality,  ft  may 
be  equally  true,  that  no  one  w^as  ever  more  powerfully  affected  by 
hereditary  and  posthumous  influences.  A  Memoir  of  his  life, 
therefore,  would  be  essentially  incomplete,  without  some  detailed 
sketches  of  his  godly  ancestry ;  and,  in  general  also,  a  free  if  not 
discursive  reference  or  allusion  to  events  and  persons,  whether  of 
the  times  in  which  he  lived,  or  of  the  times  before  him. 

It  is  now  the  entire  period  of  a  generation,  since  at  the  age  of 
fifty  he  rested  from  his  labors.  The  common  supposition  is,  that 
he  was  then  sixty,  if  not  sixty-five  or  seventy  years  old.  He  lived 
indeed  to  a  great  age,  but  his  years  were  few.  It  was  the  space 
which  he  filled,  with  somewhat  also  of  his  personal  appearance, 
that  will  fully  account  for  the  impression,  that  he  died  '•'  an  old 
man  and  full  of  days."  Other  men  also  have  accomplished  so 
much  in  a  brief  term  of  life,  that  the  community  and  the  world 
think  of  them  as  prodigies.  The  literature  and  the  familiar  dis- 
course of  Christian  lands,  has  yet  to  acknowledge  with  more  ap- 
propriate reverence,  that  there  "is  a  God  in  history." 

Most  certainly  there  is  a  God  in  the  lives  of  those,  who  are 
created  after  his  image  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness.  And 
if  there  is  a  GoJ,  that  still  "  keepeth  covenant "  as  with  Abraham 
and  his  seed^  the  genealogy  of  a  distinguished  Servant  of  Christ, 
will  not  often  be  found  a  dead  letter  of  names,  but  an  animated, 
fragrant  memorial  of  "  good  men  and  just."  Such  is  the  geneal- 
ogy, which  it  is  thought  expedient  to  trace  and  illustrate,  as  no  un- 
important exposition  of  the  native  endowments  and  the  inherent 
characteristic  tendencies  of  the  subject  of  this  Memoir.  His  an- 
cestors were  the  arche-type  of  himself. 

The  memorials  of  no  inconsiderable  number  of  the  worthies  of 
New  England,  are  more  ample  and  reliable,  than  those  of  any  who 
had  preceded  them  in  the  work  of  founding  nations  and  empires. 
"  The  history  of  New  England,"  it  has  been  truly  said,  "has  been 
more  entirely  preserved,  and  better  authenticated,  from  its  first 
settlement,  than  that  of  any  other  portion  of  tlie  globe,  of  equal 
magnitude  and  importance."  And  while  a  single  word  is  often  a 
golden  key  to  the  treasures  of  the  past,  the  eye  of  prophetic  vision 
may  discern  the  most  cheering  signs  of  promise,  in  the  lingering 
rays  of  a  resplendence,  which  not  all 

"  Melts  away  into  the  light  of  heaven." 


MEMOIR   OF   THE    LIFE 


OF    THE 


KEY.  SAMUEL  WORCESTER,  D.  D. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Nativity  and  Extraction.  Sketches  of  Rev.  "William  Worcester,  of  Salis- 
bury, Mass  ;  Mr.  Samuel  Worcester  and  Mr.  Francis  Worcester,  ot 
Bradford,  Mass.;  Rev.  Francis  Worcester,  of  Sandwich,  Mass.,  and  of 
HoUis,  N.  H.;  and  Noah  Worcester,  Esq.,  of  Hollis,  N.  H;  whh  illus- 
trative references  to  events,  persons,  and  circumstances  of  their  times 
respectively. 

•'  They  who  never  lookback  to  their  ancestors,  will  never  look  forward  to 
posterity." — Burke. 

In  the  retrospect  of  the  half  century,  which  has  so 
recently  expired,  an  intelligent  observer  will  not  be 
slow  to  appreciate  the  centennial  and  other  com- 
memorative celebrations.  The  most  important  of 
these  have  been  in  om*  New  England,  and  have  added 
greatly  to  the  renown  and  the  influence  of  departed 
worth.  In  some  instances,  also,  a  very  unexpected, 
but  most  welcome  memorial  of  the  forgotten  or  the 
unknown,  has  been  contributed  by  the  orator  of  the 
day,  or  the  speakers  at  the  festive  board. 

At  a  centennial  celebration  in  1831,  it  appeared 
that  there  are  but  few,  if  any  of  the  towns  of  New 
England,  more  remarkable  as  the  birth-place  of  emi- 
1 


Z  MEMOIR    OF 

nent  ministers  of  the  Gospel  and  of  other  professional 
men,  than  Mollis,  New  Hampshire.  This  is  an  unpre- 
tending, agricultural  town,  pleasantly  situated  on  the 
southern  line  of  the  State, — a  few  miles  from  the 
junction  of  the  Nashua  with  the  pure  waters  of  the 
Mcrrimac  from  the  White  Mountains.  A  traveller 
would  notice  with  pleasure  the  general  appearance  of 
the  roads,  farms,  and  dwellings.  As  a  lover  of  the 
beautiful,  he  would  find  much  to  admire  in  the  scen- 
ery. If,  in  the  neat  little  village  of  the  centre,  he 
should  wish  to  learn  something  of  "  the  ancient  men," 
whose  memory  is  embalmed  among  the  native  inhab- 
itants, he  would  be  quite  sure  to  hear  the  name,  and  be 
directed  to  the  former  residence  of  Noah  Worcester, 
Esq.  He  would  also  be  informed  or  reminded,  that 
among  his  sons  were  Dr.  Noah  Worcester  of  Brighton, 
and  Dr.  Samuel  Worcester,  of  Salem,  Mass. 

The  subject  of  this  Memoir  was  the  fifth  son  in  the 
family.  He  was  born  Nov.  1,  1770.  The  principal 
part  of  the  first  twenty  years  of  his  life  he  spent  at 
home, — faithfully  obeying  "  the  first  commandment 
with  promise."  But  with  a  filial  piety  very  strongly 
marked  in  his  earliest  years,  and  in  riper  age  a  model, 
even  for  the  times  when  the  honor  of  parents  was  so 
universally  sacred, — his  godly  ancestry  was  hardly 
less  dear  to  him  than  his  immediate  parentage. 
During  all  his  life,  he  loved  to  recognize  the  goodness 
of  God  in  his  favored  descent,  through  "  devout  men," 
and  "  mothers  in  Israel,"  from  the 

Rev.  William  Worcester,  of  Salisbmy,  Mass. 

I.  In  the  "  Magnalia  "  of  Mather,  this  self-denying 
servant  of  Christ  is  enrolled  as  one  of  "  the  reverend, 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  3 

learnocl,  and  holy  divines,  arriving  such  from  Europe 
to  America,  by  wliose  evangelical  ministry  the 
churches  of  New  EnHand  have  b(*en  illuminated." 
There  is  no  doubt  that  he  came  from  Salisbury,  in 
England.  But  inquiries  in  the  father-land  have  as 
yet  furnished  no  information,  in  respect  to  his  nativity 
or  genealogy.  He  is  known  to  have  been  liberally 
educated,  and  to  have  been  in  the  pastoral  office, 
when,  with  so  many  of  the  purest  and  best  sons  of 
"  dear  England,"  he  was  compelled  to  become  a  fugi- 
tive, flying  from  persecution  and  tyranny.  It  was 
God  that  sent  him  to  assist  in  laying  broad  and  deep 
the  foundations  of  our  goodly  heritage ;  as  Joseph 
was  sent  into  Egypt,  "  to  preserve  a  posterity  in  the 
earth,"  and  be  the  instrument  "  of  a  great  deliverance." 

The  character  which  he  sustained  in  his  manhood 
affords  a  safe  presumption,  that,  "  from  a  child  he 
had  known  the  Holy  Scriptui'es."  His  parental  train- 
ing was  probably  that  of  the  most  exemplary  families 
of  the  Puritans,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  16th  century, — 
the  period  when  the  faithful  witnesses  of  the  Reforma- 
tion in  England  so  restored  the  sanctity  of  the  Sab- 
bath, and,  at  the  hazard  of  burning  at  the  stake, 
determined  to  serve  God,  according  to  "  the  truth  and 
simplicity  of  Christ." 

"  I  have  often  wished," — the  late  Noah  Worcester 
once  remarked  to  the  wnriter, — "  that  I  could  know 
who  were  our  forefathers  in  England.  But  I  have 
been  afraid,  that  we  should  find  ourselves  descended 
from  some  of  those  bloody  Norman  barons ;  and  such 
is  my  abhorrence  of  war,  that  I  am  contented  to 
remain  in  my  present  ignorance."  There  was  a 
Richard  Worcester — he  may  have  known — in  the 
retinue    of    Henry    V.,    at    the   battle    of   Agincourt, 


4  MEMOIR    OF 

Oct.,  1415.  There  is  something  of  luar^  also,  in  the 
very  name  of  Worcester, — ^if  cester  is  from  the  Roman 
castra,  or  if  the  Saxon  iveg-eara-ceaster,  or  iveogare- 
ceaster^  or  ivegeorna-ceaster^  signifies  ivar-castle*  But 
the  venerable  apostle  of  peace — as  he  may  justly  be 
called — appeared  to  have  forgotten,  that  the  family 
coat  of  arms  very  plainly  directs  the  genealogist  to  a 
spiritual  or  sacramental,  rather  than  to  a  martial  or 
baronial  distinction.     "  The   field  is  argent.     Ten 

TORTEAUXES,f  FOUR,  THREE,  TWO  AND  ONE, WHICH  ARE 

SO  MANY  CAKES  OF  BREAD,  AND  SIGNIFIES  THE  FIRST 
BEARER  TO  HAVE  BEEN  A  PRIEST,  OR  SOME  RELIGIOUS 
PERSON  ;  OR  ELSE  ONE  THAT  HAD  DONE  MUCH  FOR  THE 
CHURCH." 

Of  this  device  of  heraldry,  there  is  no  extant 
engi'aving,  or  any  pictorial  illustration.  But  a  small 
manuscript,  handsomely  \srritten,  containing  a  copy  of 
the  foregoing  description  and  interpretation — without 
date,  or  sign  of  origin — has  been  preserved,  as  the 
oldest  relic  of  family  history,  for  "  the  name  of  Wor- 
cester." While  it  agrees  perfectly  with  the  character 
of  the  Rev.  William  Worcester,  it  doubtless  was 
intended  to  commemorate  some  one  of  his  progeni- 
tors, and  perhaps  one  who  sympathized  with  Wickliffe 
and  the  other  "  Reformers  before  the  Reformation." 
However  this  may  be,  the  pastor  of  Salisbury  could 

*  Henry's  England,  vol.  ii.,  p.  538.  The  name  in  Latin  was  written 
Wigornia,  or  Vigornia.  In  the  registries  of  Doomsday  Book,  it  is  written 
Wirecestre.  No  such  name  appears  in  the  famous  "  Roll  of  Battle  Abbey,** 
(NewEng.  His.  and  Genl.  Reg.  vol.  ii,)  while  various  records  or  monuments 
identify  it,  as  existing  among  the  Saxons,  long  before  the  landing  of  A\'il- 
liam  of  Normandy,  A.  D.  10G6.  There  may,  of  course,  be  a  mixture  o^ 
blood,  as  in  other  families ;  but  the  progenitors  of  the  Worcesters  in  New 
England  were  Anglo-Saxon,  rather  than  Anglo-Norman. 

t  May  be- pronounced  as  if  written  tor-toox-es.     Torteau,  in  Heraldry^ 
signifies  a  red  "  roundel,"  or  "  circular  spot." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  O 

not  have  gone  fartlier  back  than  to  his  great-grand- 
parents, to  find  a  Romish  ancestry;  nor  have  counted 
forty  generations  from  the  last  of  his  forefathers,  who 
"  did  evil  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  after  the  abominations 
of  the  heathen^* 

From  a  recent  search  of  an  antiquarian,  whose 
intimate  knowledge  of  the  antiquities  of  Salisbury, 
England,  gives  the  highest  value  to  his  witness,  it 
would  seem  to  be  quite  certain,  that  the  Rev.  William 
Worcester  was  not  a  native  of  the  city,  from  which 
he  emifi^rated  to  New  Ens^land.  "  Of  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam  Worcester,  I  find  no  trace.  Indeed  I  think  Wor- 
cester is  not  a  Salisbury  name."f  It  is  not  unlikely, 
that,  at  the  time  he  left  for  America,  all  the  persons 
who  would  have  been  interested  to  preserve  a  record 
of  his  ecclesiastical  or  social  relations,  either  accom- 
panied him,  or  were  scattered  abroad,  during  the  civil 
war  which  almost  immediately  followed. 

It  is  a  family  tradition,  that  two  brothers  came  with 
him  to  New  England.  One  of  these  is  supposed  to 
have  died  without  issue.  The  other  went  to  Con- 
necticut, and  became  the  head  of  several  families, 
who  have  written  their  name  Wooster,  Of  these  was 
Gen.   David    Wooster,   a    revolutionary   patriot   and 

*  It  should  silence  the  most  plausible  arguments  against  the  expediency 
and  duty  of  prosecuting  the  work  of  missions — simply  to  say  to  an  objector  : 
"  Thy  father  was  an  Amorite,  and  thy  mother  a  Hittite."  Eze.  xvi.  3. 
Forty  generations  only,  or  at  most  a  few  more,  will  carry  us  back  to  the 
heathenism  of  our  ancestors ;  sixty  generations  will  carry  all  the  heathenism 
now  existing  back  to  the  heathenism  of  the  days  of  Paul  and  the  other 
apostles ;  and  less  than  ninety  more,  or  less  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  in 
all,  will  reach  the  very  beginning  of  all  the  idolatrous  religions,  which  have 
any  name  or  shadow  of  a  name  in  the  history  of  the  world. 

t  Henry  Hatcher,  Esq.,  to  the  Dean  of  Salisbury,  in  answer  to  inquiries 
proposed  by  Hon.  James  Savage,  Pres.  of  the  Mass.  His.  Society, — Nov. 
20,  1842.  See  a  paper,  communicated  by  Mr.  Savage,  Mass.  His,  Col- 
lections, 3d  Ser.,  vol.  x.,  p.  138. 

1* 


b  MEMOIR    OF 

martjT ;  and  more  recently,  Rev.  Benjamin  Wooster,^ 
of  Fairfield,  Vt., — who  laid  aside  his  shepherd's  crook, 
at  the  call  of  the  state-militant,  and,  as  commander  of 
a  company  of  volunteers  from  his  own  parish,  was 
among  the  bravest  at  the  battle  of  Plattsburg,  on  the 
11th  of  Sept.  1814. 

The  clerical  brother  in  Massachusetts,  and  the  lay 
brother  in  Connecticut,  each  placed  himself  in  circum- 
stances of  great  personal  exposure  ;  and  the  former, 
especially,  encountered  perils  and  hardships,  which 
required  no  small  measure  of  natural  and  moral 
com'age.  If  it  had  been  written  of  them  both,  that 
they  were  of  more  than  common  stature  and  muscular 
development,  it  would  not  surprise  those  who  have 
seen  any  considerable  number  of  their  progeny. 
What  can  now  be  ascertained  in  regard  to  them  in 
general,  is  suited  to  awaken  an  earnest  desire  for  a 
knowledge  of  their  parentage  and  early  education. 
But  as  in  regard  to  many  others,  associated  with  them 
in  that  most  honorable  generation  of  New  England 
Puritans,  there  is  too  much  reason  to  recall  the  words 
of  Goldsmith,  when  lamenting  the  scantiness  of  his 
materials  for  his  life  of  Parnell :  "  The  dews  of  the 
morning  are  past,  and  we  vainly  try  to  continue  the 
chase  by  the  meridian  splendor." 

There  is  some  ground  to  suppose,  that  they  came 
to  New  England,  in  1637,  or  the  year  in  which  Crom- 
well and  others,  who  aftersvards  wxre  so  prominent  in 
resisting  the  tyranny  of  Charles  1st.,  and  in  sustain- 
ing the  Commonwealth, — had  purposed  to  embark  for 
the  same  asylum.*     The  spirit  of  emigration  was  now 

*  1637.  "  A  number  of  English  Puritans  embarked  for  America.,  to  lay  the 
foundaiion  of  a  government  which  might  ensure  them  rehgious  and  ciAil 
liberty.    A  proclamation  was  then  issued  to  prevent  such  emigrations,  in 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  7 

greatly  stimnlated  by  tlie  intolerance  of  Archbishop 
Laud,  and  the  manifold  grievances  of  evangelical 
pastors  and  their  adherents  ; — while  the  most  encour- 
aging reports  were  received  of  the  success  of  the 
colonists,  who  had  now  begun  to  present  to  the  w^orld 
a  noble  organization,  civil  and  religious.  At  least 
twenty  ships,  with  about  3000  emigrants,  reached  the 
Salem  or  Massachusetts  Colony,  in  1638.  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Worcester  and  family  may  have  been  in  that 
company.  He  must  have  arrived  at  this  time,  if  not 
as  early  as  1637  ;  for,  according  to  the  best  authorities, 
it  was  in  1638,  that  he  became  the  pastor  of  the  church 
in  Salisbury."* 

This  was  the  eio^hteenth  chiu'ch  in  the  colony.  The 
town, — at  first  a  part  of  the  territory  of  Rowley  and 
called  Colchester, — is  the  oldest  in  Massachusetts,  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  Merrimac.  When  incorporated 
in  1640,  it  took  the  name  of  Salisbury,  either  in  honor 
of  the  pastor,  as  may  be  conjectured ;  or,  because  the 
pastor  was  accompanied  by  a  portion  of  his  church  in 
England,  and  they  together  washed  to  preserve  the  asso- 
ciations of  the  name  of  their  former  residence,  as 
among  others  Mr.  Cotton  had  given  an  example  in 
Boston,  and  Mr.  Rogers, — a  grandson  of  the  "proto- 
martyr," — with  his  at  Rowley.f 

which  were  Sir  Arthur  Ilazelrig,  John  Hampden^  John  Pym,  and  Oliver 
Cromwell,  who  had  resolved  to  abandon  their  country  forever." —  Universal 
Chronologist  and  Historical  Register,  ^-c.  Part  I.,  pp.  599,  GOO. 

The  same  year  the  Jesuits  were  expelled  from  Japan,  on  account  of  a 
conspiracy  to  seize  the  Government. 

The  same  year,  also,  the  Covenanters  were  actively  organizing  their 
forces  to  defeat  the  eflbrts  of  Charles  I.,  to  impose  upon  Scotland  the 
English  Church  Establishment. 

*  His  arrival  was  less  than  ten  years  after  that  of  Iligg-inson  and  his 
associates  at  Salem. 
t  A  similar  reason  could  scarcely  be  assigned  for  Charlestowfi. 


8  MEMOIR    OF 

In  May  previous  to  the  change  of  the  name  of  the 
town,  he  was  admitted  by  the  General  Court,  to  the 
privileges  of  a  freeman  of  the  Colony.  A  large  num- 
ber of  others  were  admitted  with  him.*  And  from 
this  time,  it  may  be  added,  the  state  of  things  in 
England  put  an  end  to  the  rush  of  emigration. 
While  Cromwell  was  lord  of  the  ascendant,  as  many 
persons  returned  home,  it  has  been  said,  as  there  were 
who  came  to  settle  in  the  new  world. 

The  ancient  records  of  the  church  of  Salisbury 
having  been  lost,  there  are  no  means  of  ascertaining 
the  numbers  or  increase  of  the  chm'ch,  during  the 
ministry  of  the  first  pastor.  There  is  evidence  from 
tradition,  that  the  church  was  in  general  much  united, 
and  the  pastor  highly  respected  and  beloved.  His 
ministry  left  an  enduring  impression  of  his  learning, 
devotedness,  wisdom,  meekness,  and  patience. 

He  had  much  of  that  personal  discipline,  which,  in 
its  appropriate  effect,  prepares  a  pastor  to  "  weep  with 
them  that  weep,"  as  well  as  to  "rejoice  with  them 
that  do  rejoice."  He  knew  the  occasion  and  import 
of  the  word  sympathy ;  and  had  "  learned  what  that 
meaneth  :" — "  The  heart  knoweth  his  own  bitterness  : 
and  a  stranger  doth  not  intermeddle  with  his  joy." 

After  noticing  "  the  town  of  Hampton,  in  the  county 
of  Northfolk,"t  Mr.  Johnson,  in  the  "  Wonder-working 
Providence  of  Sion's  Saviour  in  New  England,"   pro- 


*  Savage's  Winthrop. 

■f  Not  the  present  Norfolk  County,  Mass.  At  the  period,  when  Capt. 
Edward  Johnson,  of  Woburn,  wrote  the  "  Wonder-working  Providence, 
&c."  or  the  History  of  New  England,  from  1628  to  1051, — all  the  towns 
between  the  Merrimac  and  Piscataqua  Rivers  were  included  in  one  county, 
which  was  named  Northfolk  or  Norfolk,  because  of  the  geographical  posi- 
tion of  this  part  of  the  colony.  The  people  were  the  North-folhs ,  as  those 
of  Suffolk,  were  South-folks. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


9 


ceeds  to  "the  planting  the  eighteenth  church  of  Christ 
at  the  town  of  Salsbury." 

"  For  furtlior  perfecting  this  wildernesse-work  ;  not 
far  from  the  Towne  of  Hampton  was  erected  another 
Towne  called  Salsbmy,  being  brought  forth  as  Twins, 
sometime  contending  for  eldership ;  *  *  *  the  sit- 
uation of  this  Towne  is  very  pleasant,  were  the  rivers 
navigable  fiarre  up, — the  branches  thereof  abound  in 
faire  and  goodly  meadowes  with  good  store  of  stately 
timber  upon  the  uplands  in  many  places  .  *  ♦  * 
the  people  joyned  in  church-relation  or  brotherhood, 
nere  about  the  time  the  other  did,  and  have  desired 
and  obtained  the  reverend  and  graciously  godly,  M. 
Thomas  Woster*  to  be  their  Pastor. 

With  mickle  labor  and  distressed  wants 

Woster,  thou  hast  in  desart's  depth  remain'd 
Thy  chiefest  dayes,  Christ's  Gospel  there  .to  plant, 

And  water  well,  such  toil  shall  yield  great  gaine. 
O  happy  day  I  may  Woster  say,  that  I 

Was  singled  out  for  this  great  work  in  hand  ; 
Christ  by  distresse  doth  gold  for  's  Temple  try  : 

Thrice  blest  are  they  may  in  his  Presence  stand, 
But  more,  thou  art  by  him  reserved  yet, 

To  see  on  earth  Christ's  kingdom's  exaltation  ; 
More  yet,  thou  art  by  him  prepared  fit 

To  help  it  on,  among  our  English  Nation." 

*  Mr.  Johnson  evidently  wrote  much  of  his  work  from  memory  and  gen- 
eral impressions  ;  and  was  not  minutely  accurate  in  names  and  dales.  It  is 
conjectured,  that  Thomas  was  the  name  of  a  brother  of  the  pastor  of  Salis- 
bury, whose  name  in  the  Records  of  the  town  was  invariably  written,  Wil- 
liam Worcester,     it  is  so  written  in  his  will. 

Mr.  Johnson's  date  for  the  gathering  of  the  church  is  1639.  He  may  have 
been  correct.  But  the  weight  of  authority  is  decidedly  in  favor  of  1638. 
See  Mass.  His.  Colls.  2  Series,  vol.  v.  p.  242.  Cols.  Am.  Stat.  Asso.  vol  i., 
p.  32. 

Thomas  Lechford,  in  his  "  Plaine  Dealing,  or  Newes  from  New  Eng- 
land," published  in  London,  1611, — speaks  also  of  the  minister  of  SaUsbur)', 
z&  blaster  Worster  ;  writing  the  name,  doubtless,  according  to  the  mode  of 
pronunciation,  which  was  probably  then  in  use,  and  which  is  now  generally 
sanctioned  by  his  descendants.  At  the  present  day,  we  have  Worcester, 
Worster,  Wooster,  and  Woster, — the  three  last  being  variations  or  corrup- 
tions of  the  first,  and  very  naturally  occasioned  by  the  pronunciation  of  the 
name,  as  if  but  of  two  syllables.  At  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  New 
England,  Worcester  appe&.rs  to  have  been  the  uniform  orthography,  in  the 
designation  of  the  city  and  shire,  the  bishopric  and  earldom,  so  called  in  the 
mother-country. — To  commemorate  the  second  battle  of  Worcester,  in  1651, 


10  MEMOIR    OF 

The  work,  in  which  the  pastor  of  Salisbury  is  thus 
honorably  mentioned,  appears  to  have  been  completed, 
in  1651,  or  just  about  two  centuries  since.  The  author 
was  one  of  the  most  estimable  men  in  the  Massachu- 
setts Colony  ;  and  his  testimony  in  respect  to  character 
was  that  of  "  a  good  man  and  a  just."  Of  the  mode 
in  which  he  was  pleased  to  present  the  portraits  of  his 
Christian  heroes,  he  has  spoken  for  himself :  "  And 
now  let  no  man  be  offended  at  the  Author's  rude 
verse,  penned  of  purpose  to  keepe  in  memory  the 
Names  of  such  worthies  as  Christ  made  strong  for 
himselfe,  in  this  unwonted  work  of  his."* 

In  calling  Mr.  Worcester  "  the  reverend  and  gra- 
ciously godly,"  he  was  far  from  meaning  to  "  give 
flattering  titles  to  man."  The  term  "  reverend"  was 
not  used  in  New  England,  as  a  designation  of  minis- 
terial office,  until  long  afterwards.  It  was  intended  to 
denote  a  truly  devout  and  earnest  minister  of  Christ, — 
"  sober,  just,  holy,  temperate  ;  holding  fast  the  faithful 
word  as  he  had  been  taught,  that  he  might  be  able  by 
sound  doctrine  both  to  exhort  and  to  convince  the 
gainsayers."  The  same  term  is  used  in  the  Salisbury 
Records,  and  with  the  same  import  of  high  respect 
and  esteem,  after  the  pastor's  decease.  In  other  places 
he  is  called  Mister.-f 

Cromwell  was  present  at  the  launching  of  "  a  new  freegot  of  the  States, 
carrying  three-score  pieces  of  ordnance,  and  called  her  the  Worcester." — 
Hees^  Cyclopedia. 

*  Mass.  His.  Colls  ,  2d  Ser.,  vol  ii.,  p.  69. 

•)  Mister,  Master,  or  Magister,  was  the  title  of  all  educated  men, — of 
magistrates,  school-teachers,  and  military  officers  above  the  rank  of  lieuten- 
ant, &c.  Hence  a  dilTiculty  in  determining  the  real  profession  or  occupation  of 
some  of  the  early  fathers,  e.  g.  whether  a  man  was  a  lawyer  or  a  physician. 
"  Reverend,"  as  the  title  of  an  accredited  clergyman,  was  adopted,  perhaps, 
for  public  convenience  ;  as  well  as  because  the  general  character  of  the 
ministers  who  first  received  it  did  honor  to  the  title.  For  about  half  a  cen- 
tury, "  Goodman  "  was  a  common  title  for  any  one,  who  had  not  a  claim  to 
be  called  Mister. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  11 

The  allusions  to  "  the  desart's  depth,"*  and  to 
"  mickle  labor  and  distressed  wants,"  should  be  inter- 
preted, in  the  most  literal  manner.  The  pastor  of 
Salisbmy  had  an  undisputed  pre-eminence  among  his 
clerical  brethren,  in  labors  and  privations.  His  worldly 
circumstances,  however,  it  is  supposed,  were  improved, 
in  the  latter  years  of  his  life.  But  in  respect  to  wealth, 
he  must  always  have  presented  quite  a  contrast  to  his 
excellent  neighbor,  Ezekiel  Rogers,  of  Rowley. f 

In  what  is  said  of  his  "  distresse,"  there  may  also 
be  some  reference  to  the  afflictions,  which  he  had  had 
in  the  death  of  children,  and  of  the  wife  that  came 
with  him  to  New  England.  INIrs.  Sarah  Worcester 
died  in  April,  1650, — leaving  an  infant,  of  less  than 
three  months  old.  Before  the  end  of  the  year,  Mr. 
Worcester  was  united  in  marriage  with  ]\Ii's.  Rebecca 
Hall,  who  was  a  lady  of  excellent  parentage  in  Eng- 
land, and  much  known  and  respected  for  her  virtues.^ 

In  IVIi*.  Johnson's  notice  of  Salisbury,  it  is  said : 
"  The  people  of  this  town  have  of  late  placed  their 
dwellings  so  much  distanced  the   one  from  the  other, 

*  An  idea  of  distance,  in  those  days,  may  be  taken  from  an  incident  in 
the  gathering  of  the  churches  of  Haverhill  and  Andover,  in  1644.     The 
magistrates  and  ministers,  who  were  notified  to  attend,  desired  that  '■'■from 
the  remoteness  of  those  toivns  and  the  scarcity  of  houses,^''  the  meeting  might 
be  at  Rowley.     The  desire  was  granted.     The  distance  from  Rowley  to 
Haverhill  may  have  been  six  or  eight  miles  ;  that  to  Andover,  ten  or  twelve  • 
f   Christ  for  this  work  Rogers  doth  riches  give^ 
Rich  graces  fit  his  people  for  to  feed, 
Wealth  to  supply  his  wants  whilst  here  he  live, 
Free  thou  receiv'st  to  serve  his  peoples  need. 
— "  Wonder-ivorking,  ^-c.''  Mass.  His.  Col.  2d  Ser.  Vol.  vii.p.  13. 
Mr.  Rogers  had  a  large  estate  to  distribute  by  his  will,  at  his  decease. 

X  She  had  been  twice  married,  before  she  became  the  consort  of  Rev. 
Wm.  Worcester.  She  married,  for  a  fourth  husband,  Samuel  Symonds. 
who  was  Deputy  Governor  of  the  Colony.  She  died  at  Ipswich,  July 
21st.,  1695,  in  the  79th  year  of  her  age. 


12  MEMOIR    OF 

that  they  are  like  to  divide  into  tAVO  churches."  He 
refers  to  the  settlements  in  what  was  called  "  New 
Town," — and  is  now  known  as  Amesbmy.  This  re- 
moval of  a  part  of  the  inhabitants  much  increased  the 
labors  of  the  pastor.  It  led  also  to  some  opposition 
and  resistance  in  the  payment  of  his  salary.  The 
subject  was  ultimately  carried  up  to  the  General 
Court ;  and  thus  gave  occasiop,  providentially,  for  a 
record  of  the  sentiments  of  the  most  intelligent  and 
respectable  men  in  the  colony,  in  regard  to  the  high 
standing  of  the  pastor. 

It  had  been  voted,  that  he  receive  £80,  a  year.  In 
opposition  to  some  who  were  unwilling  to  pay  their 
proportion,  the  General  Court,  in  1658,  ordered  that 
he  be  paid  this  sum.  It  was  also  decided  by  that 
body,  that  "  it  is  not  expedient  for  Mr.  Worcester  to 
travel  once  a  month  to  preach  (Sabbath)  at  New 
Town,  but  that  the  people  there  should  attend  his 
preaching  at  Old  Town  ;  and  those  of  New  Town 
should  help  pay  his  salary,  until  they  are  legally  dis- 
missed." The  Court  also  say,  that  "they  of  New 
Town  should  forbear  to  content  themselves  with  pri- 
vate help,  whilst  the  Lord  pleased  to  continue  so 
hriijrht  a  star  in  their  candlestick.^^ 

Among  the  papers  of  Dr.  Worcester,  very  carefully 
preserved,  was  a  long  letter  fi-om  Rev.  Daniel  Gould, 
a  worthy  clergyman,  who  for  a  time  supplied  the  pul- 
pit of  the  fu'st  chm'ch  of  Salisbury.  A  more  recent 
investigation  fully  confii'ms  the  ^vriter's  statements 
and  opinions. 

Salisbury^  Nov.  5th,  1810. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir : — 

In  compliance  with  your  request,  when  I  saw  you 
at  Rev.  ]Mi\  Huntington's,  last  September,  at  Topsfield, 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  13 

1  have  examined  the  reeords  of  the  Town  and  Pro- 
prietors of  Salisbiuy  ;  and  have  likewise  made  all  the 
inquiries  I  could,  relative  to  your  ven(Table  ancestor, 
IVIr.  Worcester,  formerly  a  minister  in  this  town  ;  and 
beg  leave  to  lay  before  you  the  result  of  my  incjuiries, 
with  such  remarks  as  naturally  occurred  to  my  mind, 
from  the  face  and  spirit  of  the  records  to  which  I  have 
had  recourse,  and  also  from  tradition. 

.  I  find  that  all  that  tract  of  land,  lying  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Merrimack,  or  Moonomick,  as  the  Indians 
called  it,  was  gi-anted  to  be  a  plantation,  unto  iVIr. 
Simon  Bradstreet,  IVIr.  Daniel  Dennison,  Christopher 
Ball,  Samuel  Winslow,  and  others,  in  the  year  1638. 
And  at  a  General  Court  held  at  Boston,  the  4tli  day 
of  the  7th  month,  1639,  [it  was  decided  that]  Mr. 
Ezekiel  Roger's  plantation  shall  be  called  Rowley ; 
and  the  plantation  beyond  Merrimack  river  shall  be 
called  Colchester.  At  a  General  Court  held  at  Bos- 
ton, the  7th  day  of  the  8th  m.,  1640,  Colchester  is 
henceforth  to  be  called  Salisbury.  This  gives  us  the 
history  of  this  town  and  to  whom  it  was  first  granted. 
But  by  whom,  or  by  what  means,  and  in  what  man- 
ner, it  was  fii'st  settled,  we  are  not  informed.  I  find, 
however,  records  of  births,  as  early  as  the  year  1637 — 
but  no  records  of  anything  else  until  the  year  1640, 
when  the  town  was  incorporated. 

I  find  their  first  Minister's  name  was  William  Wor- 
cester.* But  w^hen  he  was  settled  here,  I  find  no 
records  to  show,  nor  anything  which  leads  to  a  con- 
jecture. William  Worcester  is  mentioned  at  the  set- 
tlement of  the  town  ;  and  it  appears,  that,  at  all  times, 
he  had  his  proportion  of  the  lands,  in  the  several 
divisions  of  the  Town  lands,  as  a  free  commoner. 

There  is   a   meeting-house    and  a  bell   mentioned 

*  The  writer's  explicit  statement  on  this  point  was  occasioned  by  the 
fact,  that  there  was  still  a  question  in  the  family,  whether  the  name  was 
William  or  Thomas.  Dr.  Worcester's  brother  Thomas  received  his  name, 
under  the  impression,  that  this  was  the  true  name  of  the  ancestor  at  Salis- 
bury,— an  impression  derived,  probably,  from  the  mistake  of  INIr.  Johnson 
in  his  history  of  New  England, 

2 


14  MEMOIR    OF 

nearly  at  the  time  of  the  incorporation  of  the  town. 
As  early  as  1642,  the  freemen  voted  to  levy  a  tax  for 
Ml'.  Worcester's  maintenance,  of  <£27,  for  his  half 
year's  salary  last  past,  which  is  spoken  of  not  as  a 
new,  but  as  an  old  thing.  He  is  frequently  mentioned 
from  time  to  time,  as  it  respects  his  salary,  until  the 
y^ar  1659  or  1660. 

[Details  of  various  matters  here  follow.] 

I  find  a  record  of  the  death  of  JVIr.  "William  Wor- 
cester, in  these  words,  viz. :  "  The  reverend  William 
Worcester,  pastor  of  the  Church  of  Salisbury,  de- 
parted this  Hfe,  the  28th  of  the  8th  Month,  1662."  It 
appears  that  he  was  minister  here  upwards  of  twenty 
years.  Of  his  age  and  the  time  of  his  ministry  in  this 
town,  I  have  found  no  account  in  the  records,  which  I 
have  consulted.  I  have  been  told  that  the  place  where 
his  house  stood,  the  cellar  and  some  old  bricks  are  still 
visible.  Lieut.  Josiah  French,*  one  of  the  descendants 
of  the  family,  informed  me,  that  he  knew  the  grave 
where  ]Mr.  Worcester  was  bm'ied,  as  he  had  received 
it  from  tradition. 

I  have  learned,  that  he  came  from  Cape  Ann  when 
he  came  to  this  town.  Possibly,  something  may  be 
obtained  there,  relative  to  your  venerable  ancestor,  or 
his  posterity.  It  appears  that  yom*  venerable  ancestor 
was  learned  in  all  the  wisdom  of  Europe,  and  well 
versed  in  divine  knowledge.  He  was  judicious, 
benevolent,  and  pious ;  an  able  minister  of  the  Gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ ;  and  a  gi'eat  comfort  to  the  people  of 
his  charge.  He  animated  and  comforted  them  under 
the  many  hardships,  difficulties,  and  dangers,  which 
they  had  to  encounter  in  settling  a  wild  and  inhospit- 
able country,  and  also  arising  from  a  fierce  and  numer- 
ous enemy,  by  whom  he  and  his  people  were  kept  in 
constant   alarm.f     He  was  a   great  promoter  of  the 

*  His  father,  Josiah  French,  married  Mary  Worcester,  daughter  of 
Francis,  and  grand-daughter  of  Samuel,  of  Bradford,  Nov.  10,  1736. 

t  Many  facts  might  be  given,  in  proof  of  what  Mr.  Gould  here  states  : 
e.  g. — "  Upon  the  warrant  which  went  to  Ip.swich,  Rowlye,  and  Newberry, 
to  disarm  Passaconamy,  who  lived  by  Merrimack,  they  sent  forth  40  men 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  15 

settling  of  this  part  of  the  country;  and  instead  of 
comphiining,  was  a  pattern  of  patience  in  linnger  and 
cold,  and  of  fortitude  under  poverty  and  danger,  to 
encourage  his  people. 

During  this  time  of  danger  and  poverty,  the  inhab- 
itants lived  like  the  old  ])atriarchs.  They  labored  to 
promote  each  other's  best  interests,  and  the  good  of 
the  whole.  They  conceded  to  each  other,  as  is  abund- 
antly evident  from  their  often  exchanging  lands,  for 
the  sake  of  accommodating  each  other's  farms. 
Mutual  benevolence  seems  to  have  prevailed  among 
them.  They  made  a  common  interest  of  their  neces- 
sities and  dangers,  and  did  every  thing  to  promote 
peace  and  harmony. 

It  likewise  appears,  that  they  would  support  their 
dignity  and  honor,  and  the  authority  which  they  exer- 
cised for  their  protection  and  safety.  They  prevented 
everything  which  had  a  tendency  to  irritate,  and  dis- 
turb the  peace  of  society.  They  made  such  laws  and 
regulations,  from  time  to  time,  as  they  found  neces- 
sary.— It  is  left  on  record,  that  IVIr.  Samuel  Hall  was 
fined  in  open  meeting  5s.  for  his  abusive  language 
before  the  freemen,  in  open  meeting, — which  was : 
"  Ye  are  all  lords,  all  moriarchs,  your  will  must  he  your 
laic,  and  such  likeP 

The  only  difficulty  which  seems  to  have  occupied 
their  attention,  during  Mr.  Worcester's  ministry  among 
them,  related  to  his  support.  Nothing  appears,  but 
that  they  paid  him  promptly  according  to  agreement, 
and  to  his  satisfaction ;  for  he  never  complained  on 
that  account.  His  salary  was  various,  sometimes 
£50,  and  sometimes  XGO,  as  extremes.  But  the  man- 
armed  the  next  day,  being-  the  Lord's  day,  but  it  rained  all  the  day,  as  it  had 
done  divers  days  before  and  also  after,  so  that  they  could  not  go  to  his  wig- 
wam, but  they  came  to  his  son's  and  took  him,  &c." — Winthrop''s  Joztrnal^ 
Mo.  7.  1642. 

This  movement  to  disarm  the  Indians  was  prompted  by  the  suspicion  of  a 
general  conspiracy  against  the  colonists.  For  many  years,  the  able-bodied 
men  in  the  most  exposed  settlements,  carried  their  guns  and  swords  with 
them  to  the  house  of  God,  on  the  Sabbath,  and  were  always  ready  for  aa 
alarm. 


16  *  MEMOIR    OF 

ner  of  raising  it  occupied  their  attention.  Generally 
they  paid  him  by  a  tax,  which  was  equally  laid  upon 
each  of  the  inhabitants,  according  to  their  ability. 

With  regard  to  the  church  government  and  the  state 
of  religion  in  particular,  we  are  not  informed,  as  his 
church  records  are  lost  or  concealed.  There  are  no 
church  records,  until  the  time  of  Mr.  Allen's  ministry 
in  1687.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  we  [have  reason  to] 
conclude,  that  they  were  a  wise,  virtuous,  benevolent, 
and  pious  people ;  and  that  they  duly  attended  upon 
the  preaching  and  ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  duly  and 
properly  exercised  discipline  in  the  church,  and  labored 
to  suppress  vice,  and  immorality,  and  disorder,  and 
promote  virtue,  order,  piety  and  religion  among  them, 
according  to  the  rules  of  the  Gospel,  in  both  church 
and  state. 

Finally,  it  appears  that  IVIr.  Worcester  was  one  of 
those  who  were  willing  to  endure  afflictions  with  the 
people  of  God,  rather  than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of 
Egypt.  They  deserve  to  be  had  in  everlasting  re- 
membrance. Their  names  are  precious,  and  ought  to 
be  sought  up  and  to  be  handed  down  to  the  latest 
posterity,  as  the  precious  of  the  earth.  They  are 
those  to  whom,  under  God,  we  are  indebted  for  our 
country,  and  for  the  high  privileges  we  enjoy,  as  a 
people,  both  civil  and  religious,  which  are  greater  than 
those  of  any  other  nation  on  the  face  of  the  earth  ; — 
a  consideration  of  which,  I  hope,  will  prepare  us  to 
celebrate  the  approaching  annual  thanksgiving,  which 
is  derived  from  their  example,  with  a  grateful  acknowl- 
edgment of  the  mercies  of  God  to  us,  who  is  the 
beneficent  giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift. 

Sir,  you  will  be  so  obliging  as  to  tender  my  sincere 
regards  to  your  lady,  while  you  will  accept  of  them 
yourself;  and  while  I  subscribe  myself  your  friend 
and  brother  in  the  Lord, — 

Daniel  Gould. 

Rev.  Samuel  Worcester. 


It   is    all   but   impossible,    after   the    lapse    of  two 
hundred  years,  to  appreciate    such  toils  and  endur- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  17 

ances,  as  those  which  are  briofly  indicated  in  the  fore- 
going letter.  The  early  inhabitants  of  New  England 
were  not  from  the  lower  classes  of  society,  and  their 
life  had  not  been  that  of  manual  labor.  A  large  num- 
ber of  those  "  first  good  men  "  were  eminent  scholars 
of  Oxford  and  Cambridge.  Others  were  of  families 
occupying  a  social  position,  in  which  every  worldly 
advantage  was  enjoyed,  or  might  be  an  object  of  hope 
to  the  emulous  and  aspiring.  "  These  forsooke  a  pow- 
erfuU  land,  stately  buildings,  goodly  Gardens,  orchards, 
yea,  deare  friends,  and  neere  relations,  to  goe  to  a  desart 
wildernesse,  thousands  of  leagues  by  sea,  both  turbu- 
lent and  dangerous.  Many  have  travelled  to  see 
famous  cities,  strong  fortifications,  &c.,  or  in  hope  to 
enjoy  a  settled  habitation,  where  riches  are  attained 
with  ease.  But  here  the  only  encouragements  were 
the  laborious  breaking  up  of  bushy  ground,  with  the 
continued  toyle  of  erecting  houses,  for  themselves  and 
cattell,  in  this  howling  desart ;  all  which  they  under- 
went with  much  cheerfulness,  that  they  might  enjoy 
Christ  and  his  ordinances  in  their  primitive  purity."* 

The  twenty-four  years  of  William  Worcester's  min- 
istry, in  New  England,  were  signalized  by  numerous 
events,  on  each  side  of  the  Atlantic,  which  must  have 
deeply  moved  a  heart  like  his.  The  celebrated  "  Thir- 
ty  Years  War  "  between  the  Catholics  and  Protestants, 
in  Europe,  terminated  about  t\vo  years  before  his 
death.  In  Scotland,  the  noble  Covenanters,  with  the 
indomitable  resolution  of  John  Knox,  were  resisting, 
like  true  martyrs,  the  establishment  of  Episcopacy. 
An  open  insurrection  in  1638,  with  subsequent  move- 
ments, both  in  England  and  Scotland,  gave  employ- 

*  Wonder-working  Providence,  &c. 

2* 


18  MEMOIR    OF 

ment  enough  to  Charles  I.,  without  leaving  any  time 
for  an  effective  effort  to  subjugate  the  Puritanical 
spirit  of  the  New  England  Colonies.*  Long  before 
he  was  beheaded,  these  had  become  real  republics^  and 
were  immovably  grounded  and  fixed  in  "  the  founda- 
tions of  many  generations."  Under  the  guidance  of 
their  spiritual  teachers,  the  first  generation  of  New 
England,  while  acting  as  members  of  Congi*egational 
churches,  and  as  freemen,  administering  affairs  of 
town,  county,  and  colony,  commenced  that  obedience 
to  law,  and  that  general  discipline  of  self-government, 
which,  in  its  progress,  has  made  the  American  people 
the  mififhtiest  embodiment  that  the  world  has  ever 
seen,  of  true  constitutional  liberty. 

The  "  firm  and  perpetual  league,  offensive  and 
defensive,"  between  "  the  United  Colonies  of  New 
England,  viz.  Massachusetts,  Plymouth,  Connecticut 
and  New  Haven,"  was  duly  consummated  in  1643.f 
The  leading  pastors  of  the  churches,  with  the  concur- 
rence of  the  magistrates,  completed  the  "  Platform  of 

*  At  the  period,  when  the  bigotry  and  tyranny  of  Charles  I.  cost  him  his 
life,  the  term  Puritan  was  not  always  used  with  the  same  meaning.  "  The 
appellation  of  Puritan  was  applied  to  three  distinct  parties  ;  which,  though 
united,  were  actuated  by  different  views  and  motives.  The  Political  Puri' 
tans  maintained  the  most  exalted  opinions  of  civil  liberty  ;  the  Puritans  in 
discipline  were  averse  to  the  ceremonies  and  episcopal  government  of  the 
church;  while  the  JDoc^rma/  Puritans  rigidly  defended  the  specidative  sys- 
tem of  the  early  Reformers.  In  opposition  to  these  were  the  Court  Party^ 
the  Hierarchy,  and  the  Arminians  ;  with  this  distinction,  that  the  latter  hav- 
ing been  introduced  a  few  years  previous,  did  not  then  [1629]  comprehend 
all  those  who  were  favorable  to  the  church  and  monarchy." — Note  by  Editor 
of  M.  St.  Martinis  Universal  Chronologist  and  Elements  of  Gerieral  History, 
Part  I.,  p.  592. 

The  Puritans  of  New  England  combined  tlie  characteristic  peculiarities  of 
the  "  three  di.^tinct  parties"  above-mentioned. 

t  The  articles  of  the  confederation  of  1G43,  were  the  pattern  of  the  con- 
federation, during  the  war  of  independence,  and  of  the  constitutional  union 
©f  the  States,  in  1769. 


8AMCEL    WORCESTER. 


19 


Cliurcli  Discipline,"  in  llie  Synod,  at  Cambridge,  in 
1648.  Matters  of  cliurch  and  state  were  thus 
definitely  settled.  Excepting  the  troubles  with  the 
savages,  the  people  were  allowed  "  to  lead  a  (piiet 
and  peaceable  life  in  all  godliness  and  honesty,"  until 
after  the  restoration  of  Charles  IL,  in  1660.  Mean- 
while they  were  successfully  cherishing  and  perfecting 
the  institutions  of  their  unexampled  freedom,  in  the 
fear  of  God. 

But  before  the  pastor  of  Salisbury  had  finished  his 
course,  the  ministers  were  called  to  meet  an  unex- 
pected crisis.  According  to  the  analogy  of  usage  in 
the  old  world,  no  person  was  allowed  to  exercise  the 
rights  of  a  freeman,  who  was  not  a  church  member. 
But  as  yet,  none  had  been  admitted  as  church  mem- 
bers, except  such  as  gave  evidence  of  a  personal  expe- 
rience of  the  truths  of  the  Gospel.  This  made  a  great 
difference  between  New  England  and  other  parts  of 
Christendom.  Many  children  had  now  come  to  man- 
hood, and  were  not  members  of  churches.  Other 
persons,  who  had  emigrated  to  New  England,  were  in 
the  same  condition.  Hence  no  small  controversv  had 
been  excited,  when,  in  1662, — the  last  year  of  Mr. 
Worcester's  life, — the  third  *  Synod  of  INIassachusetts 


*  Just  before  his  arrival,  or  in  1G37,  \\ie  first  synod  of  pastors  was  held  at 
Cambridge.  It  was  this,  which,  in  the  right  use  of  the  right  means,  so 
remarkably  settled  the  Autinomian  question,  in  connection  with  which  the 
name  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson  became  so  famous.  The  same  Synod  very 
effectually  disposed  of  errors  of  doctrine,  "  to  the  number  of  eighty,"  which 
individuals  had  invented  or  adopted,  and  were  actively  disseminating. 

"  It  is  well  known  to  all  our  English  Nation,  that  the  most  able-preaching 
ministers  of  Christ  were  most  pursued  by  the  lording  clergy,  and  those  that 
have  spent  all  their  dayes,  even  from  a  child,  in  searching  the  Scriptures, 
the  Lord  Cliiist  preparing  them  by  his  blessed  Spirit  for  this  very  work. 
*  *  Those  errors  which  you  have  heard  mentioned  in  a  former 
book,  were  so  put  to  death,  that  they  never  have  stood  up  in  a  living  manner 


20  MEMOIR    OF 

was  held,  and,  with  much  opposition,  what  has  since 
been  known  as  the  Half-icay  Covenant  was  introduced. 
By  the  sanction  of  that  Synod,  all  persons  who  had 
been  baptised  in  infancy,  were  to  be  considered  mem- 
bers of  the  church  to  which  their  parents  belonged  ; 
although  they  were  not  to  be  admitted  to  the  Lord's 
Table,  without  complying  with  such  conditions,  as 
had  been  prescribed  at  the  beginning.  Those  who 
were  thus  formally  recognized,  might  bring  their  chil- 
dren also  to  receive  the  ordinance  of  baptism. 

What  particular  part  Mr.  Worcester  had  in  that 
Synod,  or  whether  he  was  numbered  with  the  friends 
or  opposcrs  of  the  Half-way  Covenant,  cannot  now  be 
learned.  The  negative  testimony  is  very  decided,  that 
he  could  never  have  had  any  favor  for  such  a  palpable 
innovation  upon  the  order  of  the  churches, — and  for 
which  the  reason  of  all  others  was  that  of  political 
expediency.  The  result  of  the  doings  of  the  Synod 
of  1662  was  submitted  to  the  General  Court,  Oct.  8. 

among  us  since,  but  sometimes  like  wizards  to  peepe  and  mutter  out  of 
ground,  fit  for  such  people  to  resort  unto,  as  will  goe  from  the  living  to  the 
dead  *  *  The  framing  of  arguments  in  a  scholar-like  way,  did,  (the 
Lord  assisting)  cleare  up  the  truths  of  Christ  more  to  the  meanest  capacity 
in  one  hour,  than  could  be  clouded  again  in  seaven  yeare  by  the  new  notion 
of  any  such,  as  boast  so  much  of  their  unlettered  knowledge."  *  ^  Won- 
der-working  Providence^  (J-c.  Chap.  vii.  See  also  Hubbard's  General  History 
of  N.  Eiiglavd,  Chaps,  xxxviii — xl. 

"  This  delicate  business  was  managed  with  great  prudence  and  address. 
No  person  was  named  as  holding  such  errors  ;  no  person  was  inquired  after, 
as  the  author  of  such  opinions.  Each  error  was  recited,  with  only  this  short 
remark,  this  is  contrary  to  such  and  such  texts,  which  were  subjoined.  The 
result  of  the  Synod  was  unanimous,  and  even  Mr.  Cotton  [who  had  strong- 
ly sympathised  with  Mrs.  Hutchinson,  and  "  who  vjas  not  the  least  part  of 
the  coi(7itri/,"\  freely  declared,  '  that  he  disrelished  all  those  opinions  and 
expressions,  as  being  some  of  them  heretical,  some  of  them  blasphemous, 
some  of  them  erroneous,  and  all  of  them  incongruous.'  The  victory  was 
as  complete  as  the  nature  of  the  case  admitted." — Morse  and  ParisWs  New 
Engla7id,  Ch,  xxi. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  21 

At  this  timo,  Mr.  Worcoster  was  "setting  his  house  in 
order,"  in  ;iidic'i[)atioii  of  a  speculy  departure  to  "the 
rest  whieh  reinaineth  to  the  people  of  God." 

Of  tlie  "first  good  men,  who  were  in  tlie  nctnal 
exercise  of  the  ministry  when  they  left  England,  and 
who  were  the  instruments  of  settling  churches  here 
according  to  the  order  of  the  Gospel,"  it  was  recorded 
by  one*  wlio  was  well  prepan^d  to  testify, — "  I  may 
now  write  of  all  these  old  ministers,  '  These  all  died 
in  the  faith.'' " 

It  was  thus  that  the  Rev.  Wm.  Worcester  rested 
from  his  labors.  The  tranquillity  of  his  soul  in  death 
has  been  to  his  children's  children  a  grateful  evidence, 
that  before  his  departure,  "  he  had  this  testimony,  that 
he  pleased  God."  He  had  made  his  will,  a  short  time 
before  his  final  hour.  When  he  found  that  this  was 
very  near,  he  requested,  with  the  most  perfect  com- 
posure, to  see  the  tokens  of  the  advance  of  death  from 
his  extremities.  "  Uncover  my  feet ;  let  me  see  them  ; 
I  fear  not  to  die." — These  were  among  the  last  words 
which  he  uttered,  as  he  fell  asleep,  glorifying  the  Lord 
Jesus  and  "  the  power  of  his  resurrection." 

The  day  of  his  death,  according  to  the  record  which 
is  correctly  cited  in  the  letter  of  Mr.  Gould,  was  the 
28th  of  October,  (O.  S.)  1662.  His  age  could  hardly 
have  been  less  than  sixty  years.f  He  was  buried  near 
the  entrance  of  the  gTave-yard  of  the  first  settlers  of 
the  town.  If  any  monument  was  erected,  it  has  long 
since  disappeared.     A  rough  flat  stone  was  laid  over 


*  Mather's  Magnalia. 

t  Rev.  J,  B.  Felt,  in  his  Notes  to  the  List  of  the  Congregational  and 
Presbyterian  Ministers,  who  have  been  settled  in  the  County  of  Essex, 
Mass.,  from  its  first  settlement  to  the  year  1S34, — says  : — "  Mr.  Worcester 
deceased  at  an  advanced  age."' — Ain.  Quarry  Register,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  2G0. 


22  MEMOIR    OF 

his  remains,  to  preserve  them  from  the  beasts  of  prey.* 
And  though  many  changes  have  passed  over  the 
church  and  the  town,  the  time  has  never  been,  when 
some  of  the  inhabitants  have  not  pointed  to  the  place 
of  his  burial,  as  the  grave  of  a  godly  minister,  whose 
brightest  "  record  is  on  high."f 

He  has  been  less  known  to  fame,  than  some  of  his 
honored  associates,  whose  locality  was  more  favorable 
for  historic  remembrance,  or  whose  parishioners  were 
less  harmonious  among  themselves,  and  less  "  diligent 
in  sowing  the  fruit  of  righteousness  in  peace."  But  he 
was  none  the  less  beloved,  or  less  useful,  in  the  trying 
services  of  the  perilous  out-post,  where  "  he  endured 
hardness  as  a  good  soldier,"  "  waxed  valiant "  in  the 
"  good  fight "  and  was  "  faithful  unto  death." 

The  old  and  tried  ministers  were  now  passing  to 
their  celestial  reward,  in  rapid  succession.  Their  loss 
was  gi-eatly  mourned,  although  the  prosperity  of  the 
college,  which  had  been  so  dedicated  to  "  Christ  and 
the  Chm'ch,"  had  removed  all  apprehension  of  defi- 
ciency of  means,  for  a  competent  supply  of  able  and 
evangelical  pastors.  The  missionary  spirit,  encour- , 
aged  by  the  benevolence  of  kindred  minds  in  England, 
had  also  yielded  some  rich  fruits,  as  an  earnest  for  the 
future.  More  than  forty  churches,  with  more  than 
seven  thousand  communicants,  had  been  added,  in  less 
than  twenty-two  years,  after  the  gathering  of  the  first 
church  of  the  Massachusetts  colony,  at  Salem,  6th  of 
August,  1629.:j:  Still  there  were  those,  who  spoke  and 
wrote  in  a  melancholy  strain,  as  if  the  whole  experi- 

*  The  bodies  of  the  dead  were  not  nnfreqnently  dug-  up  by  the  wolves, 
t   Evidence  of  this  fact  was  personally  obtained,  August  11th,  1S51. 
J  In  1050,  the  white  population  of  Massachusetts  colony  cannot  have  been 
more  than  20,000. 


SAMUEL     WORCESTER.  23 

merit  of  the  New  Eiisrl'.md  colonists  were  about  to 
prove  a  most  disastrous  failure.*  Tliis  was  not  un- 
natural, perhaps,  in  view  of  some  events  and  occur- 
rences ;  and  especially  after  the  "  act  of  uniformity," 
by  which  nearly  two  thousand  godly  ministers  of  the 
mother  country  were  silenced  in  one  day,  and  sub- 
jected to  the  most  cruel  persecution-! 

There  were  those,  however,  who  were  full  of  hope. 
But  not  one,  probably,  had  any  imagination  of  the 
ulterior  results,  which  have  already  invested  the  very 
least  circumstance  of  the  settlement  and  early  history 
of  New  England,  with  a  peculiar  moral  dignity  and 
grandeur.  And  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  for  those  par- 
ticularly who  are  even  now  prone  to  look  forward, 
with  more  of  despondency  than  of  joy,  that  there  has 
been  no  period,  since  the  days  of  the  earliest  fore- 
fathers, when  some  of  the  most  conspicuous  observers 
of  "  the  signs  of  the  times  "  have  not  sounded  a  wail- 
ing note  ;  while  a  more  scriptural,  comprehensive,  and 
grateful  interpretation  of  the  will  and  pm'poses  of 
God  has  inspired  their  brethren,  to  sing  aloud  of  his 
wonderful  works  of  loving  kindness  and  faithfulness. 

*  "  I  tremble  to  think  what  will  become  of  this  glorious  work,  which  we 
have  begun,  when  the  ancients  shall  be  gathered  unto  their  fathers." — Rev. 
Ezekiel  Rogers,  of  Rowley, — quoted,  Morse  and  Parishes  Neiv  England, 
Chap.  XV.  He  died,  Jan.  23,  IGGO.  See  also  a  poem  by  Rev.  Michael  Wig- 
glesworth,  of  Maiden,  1662, — in  which  he  describes  "  New  England  planted, 
prospered,  declining,  threatened,  punished." — Christian  Observatory,  Vol, 
IV.,  pp.  166—168. 

t  "  Could  we  but  go  among  Tartars,  Turks,  and  heathens,  and  speak 
their  language,"  said  Richard  Baxter,  "  I  should  be  but  little  troubled  for 
the  silencing  of  ISOO  ministers  at  once  in  England,  nor  for  all  the  rest  that 
were  cast  out  here,  and  in  Scotland  and  in  Ireland  ;  there  being  no  employ- 
ment in  the  world  so  desirable,  in  my  eyes,  as  to  labor  for  the  winning  o 
such  miserable  souls, — which  makes  me  greatly  honor  Mr.  John  Elliott, 
the  apostle  of  the  Indians  in  New  England,  and  whoever  else  have  labored 
in  such  a  work." 


24  MEMOIR    OF 

II.  Among  the  children  and  gi'and-children  of  the 
"  fathers,"  and  not  least  of  all  among  those,  whose 
fathers  ministered  at  the  altar,  it  was  not  difficult  to 
find  a  goodly  number,  in  whom  the  parental  heart  had 
the  greatest  of  earthly  joys.  Some  of  these  can  be 
identified,  in  the  "  gi-eat  cloud  of  witnesses,"  that  "  the 
mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting  to  everlasting 
upon  them  that  fear  him,  and  his  righteousness  unto 
children's  children :  To  such  as  keep  his  covenant, 
and  to  those  that  remember  his  commandments  to  do 
them." 

SAMUEL  WORCESTER, 

eldest  son  of  Rev.  William,  may  be  regarded  as  an 
example  of  the  "  freemen  "  or  "  free-commoners,"  who, 
in  private  life,  were  most  useful  and  honored  in  the 
second  generation  of  New  England.  He  must  have 
been  several  years  old,  when  his  father  came  to  Amer- 
ica. Piously  nm'tured  amidst  great  hardships  and 
perils,  there  are  very  plain  indications,  that  he  "  feared 
the  Lord  from  his  youth,"  and  "  increased  in  wisdom, 
and  in  favor  with  God  and  man."  In  his  father's 
"  wiU  and  testament,"  he  is  noticed,  as  if  the  first- 
born and  greatly  beloved.  The  blessing  of  a  child  of 
promise  descended  upon  him,  as  if  an  Isaac  or  an 
Israel.  He  was  one  of  those,  to  whom  with  a  glow- 
ing emphasis  could  have  been  applied  the  words  of 
the  Hebrew  song — "  Blessed  be  our  youth^  ivhich  have 
not  made  our  old  men  ashamed.^^  * 

It  may  increase  the  interest  of  some  in  these  pre- 
liminary sketches  of  Dr.  Worcester's  ancestry,  to  be 

*  From  one  of  the  songs,  which  are  said  to  have  been  sung  at  the  Feast 
of  Tabernacles. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  25 

apprised,  that  this  ancestor,  whose  name  he  bore, 
appears  to  have  exemplified  some  of  the  best  and 
most  distinguishing  traits  of  his  own  personal  character. 
The  same  traits,  probably,  were  seen  in  the  "  reverend  " 
father ;  but  they  were  certainly  in  the  son,  of  whom 
more  is  particularly  known,  by  family  tradition. 

He  belonged  to  the  generation,  which,  as  a  wiiole, 
received  more  pious  care  than  any  other,  that  has  fol- 
lowed in  New  England.  The  period  during  which 
the  "  old  ministers "  flourished,  and  which  long  pre- 
ceded the  worst  effects  of  the  "  Half-way  Covenant," 
was  in  no  respect,  perhaps,  so  remarkable,  as  in  the 
consistent  and  earnest  application  of  God's  covenant 
with  Abraham,  by  Puritan  fathers  and  mothers,  on 
both  sides  of  the  Atlantic.  They  deprecated  as  the 
direst  of  curses,  "  a  seed  of  evil-doers,  children  that 
are  corrupters."  Hence  their  unceasing  supplication, 
that  all  who  were  "  bone  of  their  bones  and  flesh  of 
their  flesh  "  might  early  be  "  born  of  God,"  and  thus  be 
"  sons  and  daughters  of  the  Lord  Almighty."  And 
hence,  also,  in  imitation  of  him  whom  the  Most  High 
deigned  to  honor,  as  pre-eminently  his  friend,*  they 
were  not  backward  to  command  their  children  and  their 
households  after  thern^  to  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord^  that 
both  parents  and  children  might  rejoice  together,  in  the 
largest  experience  of  the  promises  to  believers  and 
their  offspring. 

The  pastors,  generally,  evinced  a  very  active  and 
affectionate  solicitvide  for  the  rising  generation.  It 
could  have  been  said  of  more  than  one,  as  of  Rogers, 
of  Rowley,  that  "  he  was  a  tree  of  knowledge,  laden 
with  fruit,  which  the  childi-en  could  reach.     With  the 

*  Isaiah  xli :  8. 


26  MEMOIR    OF 

youth  he  took  great  pains,  especially  with  those  who 
had  been  committed  to  him  by  their  dying  parents." 
The  aged  John  Higginson,  of  Salem,  and  William 
Hubbard,  of  Ipswich,  when  daily  expecting  their  "  call 
to  that  world,  where  to  be  is  by  far  the  best  of  all," 
prayed  "  that  God  would  raise  up  from  time  to  time, 
those  who  may  be  the  happy  instruments  of  bringing' 
down  the  hearts  of  the  parents  into  the  children^  Such 
doubtless  was  the  frequent  prayer  of  the  pastors, 
whom  those  venerated  "  old  disciples "  so  long  sur- 
vived. 

The  influence,  also,  of  the  fore-mothers  in  forming 
the  character  of  their  children,  and  in  "  raising  up  the 
foundations  "  for  the  glory  of  the  Savior,  should  have 
an  "  everlasting  remembrance."  With  a  felicity  of 
expression  seldom  equalled,  it  was  once  said  in  a 
commemorative  Discourse  at  Plymouth  : 

"  It  was  happy  for  our  progenitors,  that  they  brought 
with  them  into  the  wilderness,  the  confidential  associ- 
ates of  their  domestic  labors  and  domestic  cares. 
Throughout  their  arduous  enterprise,  they  experienced 
the  inexpressible  value  of  that  conjugal  friendship, 
which  no  change  of  fortune  can  weaken  or  interrupt; 
in  which,  '  tenderness  is  heightened  by  distress,  and 
attachment  cemented  by  the  tears  of  sorrow.'  The 
family  society  began  with  the  civil  and  ecclesiastical 
society.  Family  religion  and  order  began  with  the 
family  society.  To  Him  who  had  directed  them  in  a 
right  way  for  themselves,  for  their  little  ones  and  for 
all  their  substance,  '  the  saint,  the  father,  the  husband,' 
was  accustomed  to  ofier  in  the  presence  of  his  house- 
hold, his  daily  and  nightly  sacrifice  of  praise.  Regu- 
lar and  beautiful  was  the  chm'ch,  in  which  he  who 
ministered  had  only  to  place  in  order  in  the  building, 
those  materials,  which  parents  had  previously  formed 
and  adjusted  to  his  house."  * 

*  J.  T.  Kirkland,  Dec.  22, 1S03. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  27 

In  sustaining  the  pastors,  there  were  numerous 
members  of  the  churches,  who  were  as  steadfast  and 
efficient,  as  were  Caleb  and  Joshua,  in  their  co-opera- 
tion with  Moses  and  Aaron.  Born  of  parents,  who 
w^ere  each  in  "  fellowship  with  the  Father,  and  with 
his  Son  Jesus  Christ,"  dedicated  in  baptism  with 
strong  confidence  in  "the  love  of  the  Spirit,"  and 
thoroughly  instructed  in  the  doctrines,  precepts,  and 
ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  a  large  number  shone 
brightly  as  "  lights  in  the  world."  The  theory  of 
Christian  life,  as  taught  by  "  the  fathers,"  was  the 
simple  "  truth  of  God."  Situated  as  they  were,  in 
temporal  privations  and  perils ;  obliged  to  submit  to 
every  hardship  and  encounter  innumerable  obstacles 
to  pecuniary  advancement ;  an  immense  work  to  be 
done  in  the  accomplishment  of  their  purposes  and 
measurable  realization  of  their  hopes  and  their  faith, — 
their  circumstances  were  highly  suited  to  awaken  the 
general  mass  to  no  ordinary  degi-ees  of  physical, 
religious,  and  intellectual  activity.  The  indomitable 
energy  of  the  men  of  that  early  period,  is  vibrating 
yet  in  every  pulsation  of  some  millions  of  their  reso- 
lute and  still  advancing  posterity.  And  if  it  had  not 
been  for  the  church-meeting  and  the  "  town-meeting," 
those  high  schools  of  self-discipline  and  civil  obe- 
dience, in  which  fathers  and  sons  were  taught  together, 
side  by  side,  it  could  never  have  been  proclaimed  to 
all  nations  by  the  mightiest  voice  of  our  American 
Union,  and  of  the  whole  world, — that  "  learned  Ger- 
many, fuller  of  ancient  lore,  than  all  the  world  beside," 
and  "  Italy,  where  Cicero  lived,"  "  have  not  the  power 
of  self-government,  which  a  common  town  meeting, 
with  us,  possesses."  * 

*  "  Yes,  I  say,  that  those  persons  who  have  g-one  from  our  town-meetings 
to  dig  gold  in  California,  are  more  fit  to  make  a  Republican  Government; 


28  MEMOIR    OF 

"  Plain  mechanics  have  I  known,"  said  a  writer  in 
1681, — "  well-catechised  and  humble  Christians,  ex- 
cellent in  practical  piety ;  they  kept  their  station ;  did 
not  aspire  to  be  preachers  ;  but  for  gifts  of  prayer,  few 
clergymen  must  come  near  them."* 

The  farmers  cannot  be  supposed  to  have  been  infe- 
rior to  the  "  mechanics."  Precisely  such  men,  as  just 
described,  were  among  the  children  and  grand-children 
of  the  Rev.  William  Worcester.  No  one  of  them, 
however,  has  left  "  his  mark  "  of  superiority  to  his  son 
Samuel,  who,  at  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  was 
himself  a  father."!  Want  of  means  of  support,  and 
the  need  at  home  of  his  labor,  during  his  minority, 
may  have  prevented  him  from  studying  for  the  pas- 
toral office.  But  while  in  the  occupation  of  "  a  tiller 
of  the  ground,"  he  was,  perhaps,  the  instrument  of  no 
less  good,  in  the  faithful  services,  which,  in  various 
relations  and  responsibilities,  he  was  enabled  to  per- 
form. 

Removing  to  Bradford,  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
Merrimac,  he  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  arranging  and 
regulating  the  affairs  of  the  new  town.  There  were  a 
few  settlers  there,  in  1649.  But  until  about  1668, 
there  is  no  evidence  of  business,  which  was   officially 

than  any  body  of  men  in  Germany  or  Italy  ;  because  they  have  learned  this 
one  great  lesson,  that  there  is  no  security  without  law,  and  that,  under  the 
circumstances  in  which  they  are  placed,  where  there  is  no  military  authority 
to  cut  their  throats,  there  is  no  sovereign  will  but  the  will  of  the  majority  ; 
that,  therefore,  if  they  remain,  they  must  submit  to  that  will." — Danid 
Webster.     See  Address  at  Washington,  July  4,  1S51. 

*  Mather's  Magnalia,  I,  220. 

t  William,  son  of  Samuel,  received  "  a  silver-rimmed  bowl,"  by  the  will 
of  his  grand-parent.  This  "  bowl,"  it  is  conjectured,  was  a  kind  oi  heir-loom^ 
to  be  transmitted  from  one  generation  to  another.  Its  fate  is  not  known. 
It  may  have  been  destroyed  or  rendered  worthless,  in  one  of  the  fires  to 
which  reference  is  made  in  the  sequel  of  these  sketches. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  29 

committed  to  record.*  At  this  time,  the  name  of 
Samuel  Worcester,  is  found  with  those,  who  had  a 
general  oversight  of  the  public  interests.  He  was 
also  a  prominent  member  of  the  church ;  and  to  the 
time  of  his  sudden  and  greatly  lamented  death,  was 
frequently  called  to  offices  of  trust,  which  were  the 
unequivocal  tokens  of  general  confidence  in  his  ability 
and  uprightness. 

He  was  the  first  representative  from  Bradford,  in 
the  General  Court,  and  took  his  seat  as  a  member  of 
this  body,  Jan.  1679-80.  He  was  re-elected,  and  was 
a  member,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  the  year  following. 
At  this  period,  it  was  the  custom  for  towns  to  choose 
representatives,  who  were  men  of  the  highest  estima- 
tion. At  the  time  ]VIr.  Worcester  represented  his 
town,  the  state  of  public  affairs  demanded  the  coun- 
sels of  the  wisest  and  best  men,  among  all  "  that  had 
understanding  of  the  times,  to  know  what  Israel 
ought  to  do." 

The  first  settlers  of  Bradford  were  obliged  to  have 
their  deadly  weapons,  in  constant  readiness  for  use. 
No  man  could  gather  his  harvest,  or  fell  a  tree  for  his 
winter's  hearth,  without  feeling  himself  liable  to  be 
shot  down  by  the  marauding  savage.  "  Fire-arms 
and  ammunition  "  were  thus  an  item  of  some  promi- 
nence, in  the  "  inventory  of  the  estate  of  Samuel 
Worcester,  of  Bradford,"  as  prepared  for  the  Judge  of 
Probate.  And  it  was  when  he  was  in  the  full  strength 
of  his  manliness,  that  the  hearts  of  all  throughout  the 


*  In  the  Record  of"  Marriages,  Births  and  Deaths,"  in  Bradford,  the  first 
record  of  all  is, — "  Moses  Wooster,  son  to  Mr.  Samuel  Wooster,  born  iSth 
Jan.  1670."  In  the  records  generally,  the  name  is  written  Wooster  or  IVos- 
ter.  But  among  the  members  of  the  General  Court,  Jan.,  1G79-S0,  is 
enrolled — Samuel  Worcester. 

3* 


30  MEMOIR    OF 

New  England  colonies  were  moved,  "  as  the  trees  of 
the  wood  are  moved  with  the  wind,"  by  those  terrible 
desolations  of  blood  and  fire,  in  "  Philip's  w^ar,"  when 
every  "  eleventh  family  was  houseless,  and  every 
eleventh  soldier  had  sunk  to  his  grave."* 

The  struggle  for  independence,  a  century  later,  will 
bear  no  comparison  with  that  of  this  period  for  the 
very  existence  of  the  colonies.f  There  could  have 
been  few,  whose  countenances  did  not  speak  the  uni- 
versal consternation,  with  a  despondency  bordering 
upon  utter  despair.  In  every  part  of  the  settlements, 
*'  the  ministers  of  the  altar  "  w^ere  publishing  the  w^ord 
of  the  Lord: 

"  Sanctify  ye  a  fast,  call  a  solemn  assembly,  gather 
the  elders  and  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  land  into  the 
house  of  the  Lord  your  God,  and  cry  unto  the  Lord, 
Alas  for  the  day  !" 

All  hope  would  have  been  extinguished,  if  there  had 
not  been  so  many  among  the  people,  to  cry  mightily 
unto  God: 

"  Help  us,  O  God  of  our  salvation,  for  the  glory  of 
thy  name  :  and  deliver  us,  and  purge  away  our  sins, 

*  The  "eighty  young  men"  who  were  slain  Sept.  18, 1674,  at  Deerfield,  or  the 
place  since  known  as  "  Bloody  Brook,"  were  "  the  flower  of  Essex  County." 

j  An  estimate  of  population  in  New  England  in  1673,  was  7S,416. —  Colls. 
Am.  Stat.  Asso..,  I ,  p.  143.  The  number  of  men  capable  of  bearing  arms 
may  have  been  about  15,000.  Other  estimates  have  made  these  numbers  a 
third  part  less.  At  the  time,  therefore,  of  this  conspiracy  of  the  Indian 
tribes  for  the  entire  extermination  of  the  English,  the  heroic  Sachem  of 
Pokanoket,  in  view  of  the  number  and  spirit  of  his  confederates,  their  mode 
of  warfare,  their  local  situation  within  striking  distance  of  so  many  towns  or 
settlements,  upon  which  different  bands  could  move  simultaneously,  in  the 
appalling  fury  of  their  blood-thirstiness, — was  not  without  reasons  for  his 
assurance  of  complete  success.  Such  a  conspiracy,  with  such  a  leader, 
-would  certainly  have  triumphed,  thirty  or  even  twenty  years  earlier, — unless 
"  the  arm  of  the  Lord  "  had  interposed,  and  his  angels  had  "fought  from 
heaven,"  and  "  the  stars  in  their  courses  fought." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  31 

for  thy  name's  sake.  Wherefore  should  the  heathen 
say,  Where  is  their  God  ?  let  him  be  known  among 
the  heathen  in  our  sight  by  the  revenging  of  the  blood 
of  thy  servants  which  is  shed  :  Let  the  sighing  of  the 
prisoner  come  before  thee :  according  to  the  greatness 
of  thy  power  preserve  thou  those  that  are  appointed 
to  die  :  And  render  unto  our  neighbors  seven-fold  into 
their  bosom  their  reproach,  wherewith  they  have  re- 
proached thee,  O  Lord.  So  we  thy  people  and  sheep 
of  thy  pasture  will  give  thee  thanks  forever :  we  will 
shew  forth  thy  praise  unto  all  generations." 

Never  was  prayer  more  effectual,  and  never  was  the 
help  of  God  more  reverently  acknowledged.* 

It  was  just  at  this  period,  that  the  French  were 
moving  in  Canada,  to  extend  the  power  of  France 
over  all  the  immense  region  of  the  northwest;  and  to 
secure  the  dominion  from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence, 
through  the  great  lakes  and  rivers  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico.  But  of  their  adventurous  explorations,  from 
Montreal  to  Michigan,  and  from  Michigan  to  the 
Mississippi,  the  New  England  fathers,  it  is  probable, 
knew  little  or  nothing.  The  plan,  however,  had  seem- 
ingly been  laid,  w^ith  consummate  sagacity,  to  obtain 
the  whole  IVIississippi  valley,  for  the  cradle  of  the  future 
Catholic  church  of  the  North  American  continent.! 

*  1674.  "  But  the  armies  of  Prayers,  whh  which  he  did  in  this  calamitous 
time;  Ccshini  tmidere  et  Misericordiam  extorquere  I  The  Lord  had  then  many 
true  sons  of  Jacob  in  it.,  who  wept  and  made  supplication  ;  but  this  IsraeUte 
indeed  made  a  bright  figure  among  them.  And  the  successes  of  the  Prayers 
were  so  remarkable,  *  *  *  that  when  the  war  was  over,  he  made 
a  collection  of  examples,  &c.,  and  published  an  Historical  Discourse 
concerning  the  Prevalency  of  Prayer." — "  Remarkables  of  Dr.  Inaease 
Mather^''''  p.  76.  He  is  stated  to  have  given  himself  to  prayer  without  ceas- 
ing, for  the  death  of  Philip,  and  to  have  become  perfectly  sure  of  that  event, 
in  1675. 

t  "  Father  Hennepin"  reached  the  "  Meschasipi,"  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Illinois  river,  in  March,  16S0.  See  p.  118,  of  his  curious  and  valuable  work, 
published  in  London,  1698,  entitled,  "  A  New  Discovery  of  a  vast  country 
in  America,  extending  above  four  thousand  miles,  between  New  France 
and  New  Mexico ;  &c.  &c." 


32  MEMOIR    OF 

So  great  was  the  impoverishment  of  the  people  from 
the  war,  from  the  failure  of  harvests,  from  the  ravages 
of  pestilence,  from  conflagi*ations,  from  \\Tecks  of 
shipping,  and  other  calamities,  that  their  distress 
moved  their  friends  across  the  ocean  to  an  extra- 
ordinary effort  in  their  behalf.  Relief  was  sent  to 
them  from  Ireland^  in  Jan.,  1677.  The  amomit  dis- 
tributed in  Massachusetts  alone  was  not  less  than 
£363, — beside  what  was  sent  to  other  colonies;  all  of 
which,  with  the  necessary  expenses,  would  make  the 
donation  nearly  or  quite  one  thousand  pounds^  and 
fully  equal,  in  proportion  to  numbers  and  means,  to 
what  has  been  termed  "  the  magnificent  charity"  of  the 
United  States,  during  the  famine  of  Lreland,  in  1848.* 

During  these  gloomiest  years  of  New  England's 
history,  the  large  family  of  IVIr.  Samuel  Worcester,  at 
Bradford,  was  "  twice  burnt  out."  In  the  first  instance, 
when  the  parents  were  away  from  home,  their  house 
was  consumed,  with  every  thing  in  it,  which  was  of 
substantial  value.  Received  kindly  into  the  house  of 
a  neighbor,  they  had  just  begun  to  rise  from  the  calam- 
ity, when  another  fire  made  them  homeless. 

*  Nathaniel  Mather,  pastor  of  a  church  in  Dubh'n,  and  brother  of  Increase 
Mather,  the  pastor  of  the  North  Church  in  Boston,  is  supposed  to  have  beea 
forward  in  procuring-  this  donation. —  See  His.  and  Gen.  Reg.,  Vol.  II. 

Rehef  was  also  received  from  England,  by  the  Christian  Indians,  whose 
distress  was  peculiarly  aggravated.  There  were  some  thousands  of  these, 
living  mostly  in  villages  by  themselves,  and  having-  churches  and  schools, 
which  were  quite  flourishing.  During  the  war,  many  were  slaughtered  by 
their  Pagan  kindred,  and  their  villages  burned  to  the  ground.  They  had 
taken  the  advice  of  Eliot  and  other  friends,  and  aimed  to  be  strictly  neutral. 
But  they  were  distrusted  by  some  of  the  colonists,  and  treated  by  bodies  of 
armed  men,  as  if  auxiliaries  or  spies  of  the  enemy.  Outrages  were  com- 
mitted upon  them,  hardly  less  atrocious  than  those  perpetrated  in  Western 
Pennsylvania  and  on  the  Muskingum,  at  the  period  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution —  See  KUofs  Letters  to  II071.  Robert  Boyle,  Mass.  His.  Colls.,  Vol.  III. 
Heckewelder^ s  "  Narrative  of  Missions  of  the  United  Brethren,  (J-c." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  33 

But  the  afllicted  man,  who  as  a  husband  and  father 
was  called  to  sustain  so  heavy  a  burden  of  anxious 
care,  was  one  of  those,  who  lived,  looking  upward, 
and  who  "  knew,"  that  "  in  heaven"  they  "  had  a  better, 
an  enduring  substance."  And  happy  might  he  account 
himself,  in  comparison  with  many  of  his  cosevals, 
whose  habitations  were  turned  into  bloody  ashes,  in 
the  darkness  of  midnight ;  and  light  were  his  afllic- 
tions,  when  contrasted  with  those  of  brethren  in 
the  Lord,  who  were  so  inhumanly  persecuted  in  the 
valleys  of  Piedmont,  and  the  high-lands  of  Scot- 
land. 

As  a  man,  who  in  filial  faith  recognized  the  hand  of 
God,  in  each  event  of  his  life,  he  received  some  signal 
tokens  of  the  divine  favor.  One  experience  especially 
was  so  remarkable,  that  it  would  seem  never  after- 
wards to  have  been  long  absent  froin  his  thoughts. 
While  moving  some  hay  from  a  mow  in  his  barn,  he 
suddenly  slipped.  He  was  rapidly  gliding  over  the 
edge,  when  he  w^as  stopped  in  an  instant ;  and  was 
enabled  by  an  unseen  hand,  as  he  believed,  to  regain 
a  place  of  safety.  After  reaching  the  floor,  he  per- 
ceived that  a  hay-fork^  witJi  the  prongs  vpivard,  was 
standing  directly  beneath  that  part  of  the  mow,  w^here 
he  was  sliding  down  ! 

Such  were  the  facts,  as  he  testified  them  to  his  fam- 
ily, and,  doubtless,  to  many  others.  Whatever  may 
be  the  true  interpretation,  he  felt  himself,  and  taught 
his  children  to  feel,  that  his  deliverance  was  super- 
natural ;  and  should  ever  be  ascribed  to  that  covenant 
God,  whose  angels  are  "  all  ministering  spirits,  sent 
forth  to  minister  to  them  who  shall  be  heirs  of  salva- 
tion." The  example  of  this  devout  man,  particularly 
in  his  filial  watchfulness  of  the  indications  and  inter- 


34  MExAIOIR    OF 

positions  of  God's  providence,  left  an  abiding  impres- 
sion upon  his  descendants.* 

When  about  fifty  years  old,  if  not  younger,  he 
finished  his  course.  Early  in  January,  1680-1,  he 
was  at  Boston,  in  attendance  at  a  special  General 
Court,  which,  by  adjournment,  was  to  meet  Feb. 
22d.  Preferring  to  travel  on  foot,  he  reached  that 
part  of  Lynn,  now  called  Saugus,  on  the  evening  of 
Feb.  20th.  He  was  unable  to  obtain  accommodations 
at  the  public  house,  and  walked  on  to  the  house  of  a 
friend,  whose  hospitality  he  had  often  enjoyed.  The 
next  morning,  Feb.  21st.,  he  was  discovered  upon  his 
knees,  in  the  middle  of  the  road,  and  as  in  the  act  of 
fervent  prayer !  Mild  and  of  brief  duration  must 
have  been  his  final  struggles, — otherwise,  it  hardly 
need  be  remarked, — he  could  not  have  remained  in 
the  posture,  in  which  he  seemed  to  be  uttering  for  his 
last  words,  and  in  "  perfect  peace," — "  Lord  Jesus, 
receive  my  spirit  !"f 

The  friend,  whose  dwelling  he  had  failed  to  reach, 
took  his  body  in  charge,  and  performed  every  office  of 
affection  and  respect.  The  expenses  of  his  bm'ial 
were  defrayed  by  those,  whom  he  had  represented  in 
the  colonial  legislature. 

The  death  of  such  a  man,  in  such  circumstances, 
would  of  course  produce  a  profound  sensation.  To 
his  family,  the  bereavement  was  overwhelming.  He 
had  eleven  children,  the  youngest  of  whom  was  born 
scarcely  more  than  a  single  week  before  they  heard  his 
last  prayer  at  the  family  altar,  and  received  the  last 


*  An  incident  to  be  related  in  a  subsequent  page  of  this  Memoir  of  one 
of  ihem,  may  recal  this  ancestor  to  memory. 

t  Wearied  and  chilled,  probably,  he  had  kneeled  down  to  pray,  and  while 
"  continuing  in  prayer"  gently  "  fell  asleep." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  35 

embrace  of  his  parental  love.  Those,  and  those  only, 
who  have  had  kindred  aflliction,  can  understand  either 
the  anguish  or  the  solace  of  that  widowed  mother, 
with  her  eleven  fatherless  children ! 

In  the  situation  in  which  the  deceased  had  been 
obliged  to  leave  his  family,  nothing  but  an  urgent 
sense  of  duty  could  have  constrained  him  to  make  the 
effort,  to  be  punctually  in  his  place,  as  a  member  of 
the  General  Com't.  The  subject  which,  more  than 
any  other,  had  occupied  the  attention  of  this  body, 
just  before  and  dm*ing  his  connection  with  it,  was  that 
so  naturally  suggested  by  the  manifold  and  accumu- 
lated public  calamities.  The  members  were  few,  and 
their  deliberations  evinced  a  conviction  of  moral  re- 
sponsibility, which,  at  the  present  day,  is  not  generally 
apparent  in  the  multitudinous  bodies,  that  have  taken 
their  place. 

It  would  have  been  inconsistent  with  former  usages 
and  the  prevailing  spirit  of  the  people,  if  the  General 
Court  had  not  summoned  the  clergy  to  make  inquisi- 
tion, and  give  advice,  in  view  of  the  evils  which  had 
been  brought  upon  the  land.  In  May,  1679,  a  Synod, 
commonly  called  the  "  Reforming  Synod,"  was  con- 
vened by  order  of  Court,  to  consider  and  answer  the 
questions, — 1st.  What  are  the  reasons  that  have  pro- 
voked the  Lord  to  bring  his  judgments  upon  New 
England?  2d.  What  is  to  be  done  so  that  these 
evils  may  be  removed  ? 

The  answer  to  the  first  question  drew  forth  expres- 
sions of  alarming  degeneracy  ;  while  the  second  ques- 
tion was  met,  as  might  have  been  expected,  without 
any  of  that  "  fear  of  man,"  which  "  bringeth  a  snare." 

In  regard  to  the  first  point  of  inquiry,  the  Synod 
had  no  hesitation  in  specifying  a  neglect  of  baptismal 


36  MEMOIR    OF 

obligations  ;  profaiieness  ;  desecration  of  the  Sabbath  ; 
want  of  piety  in  heads  of  families ;  intemperance  and 
lewdness, — temptations  to  which  they  could  not  but 
see  in  certain  indelicate  modes  of  female  apparel. 
They  referred,  also,  to  dishonesty  in  traffic  and  un- 
faithfulness to  promises,  and  the  ambitious  worldliness 
of  individuals,  who  had  removed  to  a  distance  from 
churches,  for  the  sake  of  more  valuable  farms  or  mer- 
chandise ;  forgetting,  it  was  said,  that,  "  when  Lot  left 
Canaan  and  the  church  for  better  accommodations  in 
Sodom,  God  fired  him  out  of  ally* 

The  Synod  enjoined  upon  all,  "  who  were  above 
others"  to  "  become  every  way  exemplary ; "  sum- 
moned the  people  to  declare  "  their  adherence  to  the 
faith  and  discipJine  of  their  fathers  ; "  insisted  upon 
the  importance  of  guarding  against  receiving  unwor- 
thy persons  to  church  communion  ;  urged  the  necessity 
of  "  a  full  supply  of  church  officers,  pastors,  teachers 
and  ruling  elders,"  and  a  competent  support  of  the 
same  ;  recommended  an  explicit  renewal  of  covenant 
in  the  churches,  which  implied  a  season  of  fasting  and 
humiliation ;  and  suggested  other  reformatory  measures, 
in  the  use  of  which  the  people  might  have  reason  to 
-expect  a  removal  of  their  calamities. 

Very  good  effects  followed  the  meeting  of  that 
Synod.  The  churches  generally  renewed  their  cove- 
nant. And  as  it  would  seem,  in  order  that  as  far  as 
possible  the  members  might  be  brought  to  the  same 
faith  and  practice,  as  "  the  fathers "  professed  and 
sanctioned,  the  original  Confession  and  Covenant  of 
the  First  Church  in  Salem,  as  formed  Aug.  6,  1629, 
were  published  for  general  circulation  and  adoption.f 

*  Magnalia,  Vol.  II. 

t  A  singular  and  inexcusable  error  has  been  repeated,  hundreds  of  limes, 
in  relation  to  the  first  covenant  of  this  First  Church.   In  1G37,  a  special  cove- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  37 

Much  abatement  must  be  made  from  the  earnest 
language,  which  was  employed  by  some  good  men  of 
that  period,  in  portraying  the  character  of  the  times. 
The  pious  old  people,  wlio  remembered  the  best  things 
of  the  earlier  days,  and  forgot  the  worst,  would  not 
unnaturally  make  assertions  or  accusations,  which 
(like  some  confessions  in  prayer)  the  historian  and 
the  reader  must  not  too  strictly  interpret. 

Before  1680,  there  w^as  unquestionably  a  very  man- 
ifest difference  in  the  manners  and  morals  of  the  popu- 
lation, taken  as  a  whole,  and  as  compared  with  the 
communities  of  1640  ;  when  one  might  spend  a  year 
in  going  from  place  to  place,  and  "  not  see  a  drunkard, 
or  hear  an  oath,  or  see  a  beggar."*  There  may  have 
been  some  reaction  of  the  strict  enforcements  of  the 
former  generation ;  but  a  prolific  source  of  evil  was 
the  irreligious  example  of  immigrants  from  Europe, 
and  the  fashionable  gaiety  and  corruption,  which  had 
such  fearful  ascendency  in  England,  after  the  restora- 
tion of  Charles  II. ;  and  which  the  "  lovers  of  pleasure 
more  than  the  lovers  of  God,"  in  the  colonies,  were 
but  too  willing  to  imitate. 

In  doctrinal  opinions,  the  professed  faith  of  the 
clergy  was  unchanged.  At  a  meeting  of  a  Synod  in 
May,  1680,  the  "  confession  of  faith,  consented  to  by 
the   Consfreorational  churches  of  En£:land,  which,  ex- 


nant  was  adopted,  at  the  time  when  the  church  renewed  the  original  cove- 
nant of  1629.  That  special  covenant  of  1637  has  since  been  pubHshed,  by 
Cotton  Mather  and  others,  as  if  adopted  in  1629  ;  aUhough  the  very  pream- 
ble refers  to  a  previous  covenant,  and  quotes  the  substance  in  due  form  '. 
At  the  formation  of  the  church,  there  was  both  a  "  Confession  of  Faith"  and 
a  "  Covenant." 

*  Statement  of  Thomas  Lechford,  who,  with  the  prejudices  of  the 
Church  EstabUshmenl  in  England,  resided  here  a  few  years  previous  to 
1641. 

4 


38  MEMOIR    OF 

cepting  a  few  variations,  was  the  same  agreed  to  by 
the  reverend  assembly  at  Westminster,  and  afterward, 
by  the  General  Assembly  of  Scotland,  was  approved, 
with  a  few  variations,  as  the  faith  of  New  England." 
The  Synod  chose  to  affirm  as  their  own  the  confes- 
sions of  faith  adopted  in  Europe,  "  that  so  they  might 
not  only  with  one  heart,  but  with  one  mouth,  glorify 
God  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."* 

Not  a  minister  could  have  been  ordained  in  any 
church  of  the  "  fathers,"  unless  he  had  been  of  "  sound 
or  orthodox  sentiments."  Differing  on  minor  points, 
as  they  may  have  done,  they  preached  every  where 
the   same  unalterable  truths  of  evangelical  theology.f 

The  fact  was,  that,  with  an  indisputable  falling 
away  in  some  marked  respects,  there  was  yet  a  large 
majority  of  families,  in  which  the  memory  and  exam- 
ple of  "  the  fathers  "  were  cherished  with  a  sincere  and 
sacred  veneration.  And  great  as  was  the  quantity  of 
tares  which  the  "  enemy  "  had  sown,  the  wheat  was 
still  able  to  grow  for  a  harvest  of  "  thirty  "  and  "  sixty," 
if  not  "  an  hundred  fold." 

Whenever,  in  our  own  day,  "  they  that  fear  the  Lord, 
speak  often  one  to  another"  in  the  retired  private 
meetings  of  prayer  and  conference, — it  is  an  infallible 
proof,  that  the  Holy  Spirit  has  not  been  taken  away 
from  the  surrounding  community,  and  an  auspicious 
token  of  a  blessing  to  come.     From  the  beginning  of 


*  Mag-nalia,  Vol.  11    Morse  and  Parish's  His.  N.  E.,  pp.  2S6-8. 

t  It  was  to  a  few  individuals  among  the  laity,  that  Edward  Johnson  must 
have  referred,  who,  as  early  as  1654,  liad  published  the  fact,  that,  besides  the 
AntinoyniaiiSi  Familists,  Conformitants,  and  Seekers,  "  there  were  Arriayis 
Arminians,  and  Quakers.^'  It  is  not  unlikely,  however,  that,  before  the 
close  of  the  century,  some  of  the  clergy  had  a  strong  leaning  to  the  views 
of  Arminius,  who,  it  has  been  shrewdly  remarked,  "  was  iw  Aitninian I^'' — 
See  Bib.  Hep.  1st.  Series,  Vol.  I.,  Ajminianism. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  39 

the  colonial  settlements,  it  had  been  common  to  sus- 
tain such  meetings.  At  some  seasons,  these  were 
multiplied  or  more  frequently  attended.  Not  far  from 
1680,  or  in  the  very  time  wiien  the  "  degeneracy"  from 
the  practices  of  "  the  fathers"  was  so  much  lamented, — 
we  find  the  statement  of  a  writer,  that  "  the  country 
still  is  full  of  those  little  meetings."  There  are  those, 
to  whom  this  single  item  of  history,  is  like  opening  a 
window  upon  a  verdant  landscape,  where  the  rains 
have  fallen,  and  the  sun  is  shining,  and  the  joy  of 
harvest  will  erelong  awaken  the  song  of  the  reaper. 
Upon  the  whole,  it  may  unhesitatingly  be  affirmed, 
that,  in  no  part  of  the  Christian  world,  was  there  so 
great  encouragement  for  godly  parents  to  hope  for 
spiritual  blessings  upon  their  "  children's  children." 

In  the  "  Magnalia,"  we  have  an  "  ecclesiastical  map 
of  the  country"  for  1696.  It  affords  conclusive  wit- 
ness of  great  religious  advancement.  And  with  good 
reason  did  an  aged  saint  of  that  period  remark  upon 
his  death-bed, — "  Well,  I  am  going  to  heaven,  and  I 
will  there  tell  the  faithful,  who  are  long  since  gone  from 
New  England  thither,  that  though  they,  who  gathered 
our  churches  are  all  dead  and  gone, — the  churches  are 
still  alive,  with  as  numerous  flocks  of  Christians,  as 
were  ever  among  them." 

III.    Francis  Worcester,  son  of  Samuel, 

lived  also  at  Bradford.  He  was  born  in  1662.  When 
bereaved  of  his  father,  he  was  not  too  young  to  have 
received  permanent  impressions  from  a  piety,  so  marked 
and  memorable.  In  mental  powers  he  was  less  gifted  ; 
but  he  was  fond  of  reading,  and  made  good  use  of 
his  means  of  improvement. 

One  of  his  sons,  who  long  survived  him,  bequeathed 


40  MEMOIR    OF 

to  his  posterity,  an  affectionate  tribute  to  his  character, 
in  some  familiar  verses  of  family  chronicle.  Upon 
the  authority  of  filial  witness,  it  can  be  said  of  him, 
that  he  esteemed  the  Scriptures  a  treasure  of  wisdom, 
more  precious  than  all  earthly  riches.  The  Lord's  day 
was  peculiarly  his  delight ;  and  in  remembering  to 
keep  it  holy,  he  was  as  exemplary  as  any  of  the  most 
scrupulous  of  the  Puritan  fathers.  "  The  house  of 
God"  he  reverenced  as  "the  very  gate  of  heaven." 
At  the  sacramental  table,  he  could  "  discern  the  Lord's 
body,"  as  is  the  privilege  of  those,  who  "  know  him, 
and  the  power  of  his  resurrection,  and  the  fellowship 
of  his  sufferings,  being  made  conformable  unto  his 
death." 

He  was   one   who    could   discriminate   gifts   from 
graces,  and  who  could  not  be  well  satisfied  with  ser- 
mons, in  which  the  preacher  did  not  give  proof  of  per- 
sonal or  experimental  knowledge  of  the  "  life  hid  with 
Christ  in  God."     For  several  years,  at  least,  before  his 
death,  he  seems  to  have  noticed  in  some  preachers, 
what  he  could  not  but  consider  very  great  defects  in 
their  statements  or   apparent   views,   particularly   in 
regard  to  the  nature,  means,  and  evidences  of  regener- 
tion.     These  were  too  vague  and  indefinite,  if   not 
radically  erroneous  ;  and  failed  to  meet  the   earnest 
demands  of  his  own  enlightened  understanding.     It  is 
not  strange,  therefore,  that  he   greatly  loved  and  hon- 
ored all   such,   as  seemed  to  him,  theologically   and 
personally  sound  "  in  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints."      Pious   neighbors    and    acquaintances   were 
much    endeared   to    him.     The    company   and   com- 
munion of  all,  whom   he  regarded  as  his  kindred  in 
Christ,  he  enjoyed  with   the  liveliest  emotions,  and 
especially  in  the  last  years  of  his  life. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  41 

As  an  inn-holder,  he  was  a  man,  at  whose  house 
the  godly  always  found  a  fellow-traveller  to  a  better 
country.  All  who  dealt  with  him  in  business,  had 
occasion  to  testify  to  his  habits  of  "truth  and  jus- 
tice.— "  He  loved,"  it  is  said,  "  to  see  a  man,  manly." 

Of  all  others,  his  children  had  reason  "  to  call  him 
blessed."  He  was  "  a  kind  and  tender  father,"  and 
was  none  the  less  anxious  for  them,  in  consequence  of 
the  frequent  alarms  from  the  near  approach  of  the 
murderous  savages.  These,  in  1708,  slaughtered  a 
hundred  persons  at  Haverhill,  within  a  very  short  dis- 
tance of  his  home ;  beside  carrying  away  many 
women  and  children,  as  captives.  But  such  perils 
were  of  far  less  account  with  him,  than  the  vicious 
and  irreligious  practices,  which  had  been  gaining 
strength  in  the  more  populous  towns,  and  were  fast 
spreading  a  baneful  influence  through  the  interior 
settlements. 

He  was  "  faithful  in  all  his  house ;"  holding  fast 
to  the  covenant  with  Abraham.  His  children  heard 
his  daily  prayers ;  received  his  constant  instructions 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord ;  and  witnessed  his  shining 
example  of  sincere  and  consistent  godliness.  On  the 
Sabbath,  they  were  required  to  refrain  from  all  words, 
as  well  as  deeds,  which  would  savor  in  the  least  of 
irreverence,  levity,  or  worldliness.  It  gave  him  great 
offence,  to  notice  any  deviation  from  the  most  hal- 
lowed observance  of  the  sacred  hours. 

In  his  family  religion  and  in  all  his  christian  aims, 
he  was  sustained  by  the  sympathy  and  co-operation 
of  his  pious  wife.  The  same  had  doubtless  been  true 
of  his  father  and  grandfather,  but  of  whom  in  this 
respect  no  such  direct  and  reliable  testimony  has  been 
4* 


42  MEMOIR     OF 

obtained.  His  domestic  relations  were  most  happy. 
And  rigid,  as  some  might  regard  him,  in  his  faith  and 
his  practice,  he  was  of  a  cheerful  temper,  and  very 
agreeable  as  a  companion. 

In  his  opinion,  it  was  of  vast  importance,  that 
Christians  should  appear  to  the  world,  as  if  they  held 
their  faith,  with  a  joy  which  the  world  can  neither 
give,  nor  take  away.  It  was  his  aim,  therefore,  to 
"  live  a  pleasant,  even  life,"  as  being  most  for  the 
honor  of  Christ;  avoiding,  on  the  one  hand,  all 
melancholy  and  moroseness,  while  on  the  other,  he  set 
his  face  like  a  flint,  against  a 

"  Jesting,  joking,  laughing  way." 

At  the  age  of  forty -three,  he  had  a  dangerous  attack 
of  hemorrhage,  from  which  he  never  entirely  recovered. 
He  suffered  repeatedly  from  the  same  cause,  and  was 
thus  obliged  to  confine  himself  to  his  house,  much  of 
the  time,  for  several  years  before  his  decease.  He  died 
somewhat  suddenly,  from  a  distressing  fever.  His 
house  had  long  been  set  in  order. — His  evangelical 
books,  his  chosen  friends,  and  above  all,  his  Bible,  and 
his  nearness  of  communion  with  God,  made  his  last 
days  the  brightest  in  his  "  path  of  peace." — When  he 
thought  his  hour  had  come,  his  children  were  gathered 
to  his  bed,  that  they  might  hearken  to  his  dying  coun- 
sels, and  be  commended  with  their  sorrowing  mother 
to  Him,  who  hath  said — "  Leave  thy  fatherless  children, 
and  let  thy  widows  trust  in  me." — His  strength  held 
out  a  few  days  more.  On  the  night  of  his  departure, 
repeated  prayers  were  offered  in  his  room,  by  christian 
friends,  who  rejoiced  to  be  with  him  in  his  triumphs 
over  "  the  king  of  terrors."  He  died,  Dec.  17,  1717. 
And  his  last  utterance — "  My  dear  Redeemer''^ — was  in 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  43 

death  the  appropriate  sign  and  seal  of  the  life,  which 
he  had  lived  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God. 

"  The  chamber  where  the  good  man  meets  his  end, 
Is  privileged  beyond  the  common  wallcs 
Of  virtuous  life,  quite  in  the  verge  of  heaven." 

The  character  of  this  humble  and  happy  Christian 
affords  an  instructive  illustration  of  the  kind  and  form 
of  piety,  which  many  others  also,  at  the  close  of  the 
17th  and  the  commencement  of  the  18th  century,  were 
endeavoring  to  preserve  and  perpetuate,  that  the  exalted 
purposes  and  most  cherished  wishes  of  the  New  Eng- 
land fathers  might  not  be  frustrated  and  forgotten. 
While  living,  they  were  "  ready  always  to  give  an 
answer  to  every  man  who  asked  a  reason  of  the  hope, 
that  was  in"  them;  and  when  dead,  they  continued 
to  speak  of  "  Jesus  and  the  Resurrection." 

IV.    Rev.  Francis  Worcester,  son  of  Francis, 

of  Bradford,  was  born,  June  7, 1698.  He  was  thus  of 
the  fourth  generation,  in  the  direct  line  from  the  Rev. 
William,  of  Salisbury,  to  the  Rev.  Samuel,  of  Salem. 
It  was  his  desire  to  associate  his  memory  with  that  of 
his  venerated  clerical  ancestor,  which,  as  much  as  any 
other  motive,  may  have  induced  him  to  restore  the 
orthography  of  the  family  name,  which  his  father  and 
grandfather  had  not  been  desirous  or  careful  to  preserve. 
Himself  being  witness,  he  was  in  very  early  child- 
hood a  subject  of  deep  religious  convictions.  This 
was  a  natural  effect  of  the  careful  christian  nurture, 
with  which  he  had  been  favored.  He  accuses  himself 
of  having  been  a  forward  and  wayward  child,  and 
"  vile  "  withal. 

"  My  childhood's  sins,  I  do  bewail  ; 
For  early  they  did  much  prevBil." 


44  MEMOIR    OF 

We  must  interpret  him  theologically.  His  auto- 
biographical description  of  his  religious  experience, 
accords  in  every  line  with  what  has  so  often  been 
related  of  the  "  law-work."  . 

"  O  sad  the  days  and  months  I  found, 
When  much  despair  beset  me  round." 

Before  he  had  any  "  rejoicing  in  hope,"  his  convic- 
tions had  much  subsided.  In  an  alarming  sickness, 
he  was  again  awakened.  He  saw  himself,  as  never 
before,  a  sinner,  who  must  inevitably  and  justly  perish, 
if  he  did  not  find  mercy  of  the  Lord. 

"  God  showed  to  me  my  wretched  state  ; 
How  that  my  sins  were  very  great ; 
God  did  his  Son  reveal  to  me  ; 
And  by  his  Spirit  drew  me  free." 

After  obtaining  some  relief,  his  exercises  were  of  the 
same  nature,  as  those  which  the  incomparable  Bunyan 
has  so  gi-aphically  porti'ayed.  With  alternations  of 
joy  and  fear,  light  and  darkness,  he  moved  onward, 
until  established  in  a  more  even,  uniform,  and  gen- 
erally happy  frame  of  spirit. — At  times,  his  "joy  in 
God,"  and  his  views  of  the  glory  of  Christ,  were 
thrilling  and  transporting. 

"  God  gave  to  me  a  steady  peace  ; 
I  on  his  word  did  sweetly  feast ; 
His  word  was  sweeter  then  to  me, 
Than  honey-comb  can  ever  be. 

Then  did  I  love  God's  word  and  day, 
And  did  in  secret  love  to  pray  ; 
O  this  blest  duty!     O  how  sweet 
la  secret,  Jesus  there  to  meet. 

God  hath  me  fed  with  heaven's  food  ; 
That  is  a  sweet  and  blessed  good  : 
Some  tastes  he  hath  sent  down  to  me, 
That  make  me  long  above  to  be." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  45 

At  the  ago  of  twenty,  and  a  short  time  before  his 
father's  peaceful  end,  he  made  a  profession  of  faith  in 
his  father's  God  and  Savionr.  It  was  with  "  the 
answer  of  a  good  conscience  toward  God,"  and  not 
in  the  manner,  which  had  now  become  quite  common, 
particularly  in  the  western  part  of  Massachusetts, 
where  most  of  the  ministers  and  churches  accorded  to 
the  doctrine  of  "  the  venerable' Stoddard,"  of  Northamp- 
ton, viz.  "  that  unregenerate  persons  ought  to  partake 
of  the  Lord's  Supper." 

The  doctrine  assumed,  that  the  Lord's  Supper  is  a 
means  of  regeneration,  and  that  it  is  "  impossible  to 
distinguish  the  regenerate  from  the  unregenerate,  so 
as  to  admit  the  former,  and  exclude  the  latter!"  Un- 
happily, this  fallacious  view  of  the  subject  was 
adopted  by  some  of  the  best  ministers ;  and  the  doc- 
trine of  Stoddard,  whose  godly  sincerity  was  above 
suspicion,  spread  rapidly,  although  chiefly,  as  would 
be  presumed,  in  those  churches,  which  had  followed 
the  recommendation  of  the  misguided  Synod  of  1662. 
So  far  as  received,  the  responsibility  relative  to  church- 
membership  was  singularly  changed.  Instead  of  re- 
quiring proof  of  fitness  to  partake  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
"  the  church  was  obliged  to  convict  the  applicant  of  a 
scandalous  life,  or  of  heresy,  or  admit  him  to  full 
communion." 

It  has  sometimes  been  said,  as  if  a  reliable  tradition, 
that  Mr.  Stoddard  himself  had  had  a  religious  expe- 
rience, which  would  make  a  belief  of  his  doctrine  very 
plausible,  if  not,  in  his  own  judgment,  unquestionable. 
He  appears  to  have  been  fuUi/  persuaded  in  his  own 
mind.  But  it  ought  to  be  more  generally  understood, 
that  he  was  not  the  first  of  the   New  England  clergy 


46  MEMOIR    OF 

to  admit  persons,  to  the  Lord's  table,  without  evidence 
of  piety.* 

]Mr.  Stoddard  was  personally  a  decided  Calvinist ; 
but  his  system  inevitably  favored  Arminianism,  by 
"  teaching  that  the  impenitent  have  something  to  do 
before  repentance^  as  a  means  of  obtaining  saving 
grace."  The  unregenerate  communicant  would  of 
course  consider  himself  as  in  the  way  appointed  for 
his  salvation.  And  assuming  that  it  is  impossible  to 
distinguish  the  really  converted  from  the  unconverted, 
by  any  definite  experience  which  could  be  described, 
there  would  natm-ally  be  no  very  great  disquietude  of 
conscience. 

The  new  doctrine  paralyzed  effort  for  immediate 
conversion.  No  awakenings  were  known  in  places, 
which  had  previously  been  highly  favored  ;  and  many 
partook  of  the  sacramental  elements,  who  "  had  a 
name  to  live,  but  were  dead."  And  that  the  disaster 
was  not  more  extensive  and  deplorable,  is  only  to  be 
explained  by  the  steadfast  adherence  of  so  large  a 
portion  of  the  ministers  and  church  members  to  "  the 
old  paths,"  and  "  the  good  way "  in  which  the  fathers 
"  found  rest  for  their  souls."  There  were  those  in 
large  numbers,  who  protested  against  the  assertion  and 
assumption,  that  regenerate  persons   cannot  be  dis- 

*  In  the  "Annals  of  Salem,"  (Vol.  II.,  591,)  it  is  stated,  that  in  "  1699, 
Dec.  30.,  Messrs.  Hig-ginson  and  Noyes  [of  the  First  Church]  write  to  the 
members  of  the  Brattle- Street  Church,  in  Boston,  who  had  published  a 
declaration.  They  complain  of  this  production,  as  too  loose  in  doctrine,  in 
the  ordinance  of  baptism,  and  in  admission  to  the  communion.  They  desire 
its  authors  not  to  be  promoters  of  schism." 

Twenty  years  earlier,  or  in  1679,  the  Reforming  Synod  speak  of  the  prac- 
tice in  question,  as  already  so  common,  as  to  be  justly  accounted  one  of  the 
reasons  for  the  judgments  of  God  upon  the  people. —  On  this  g-eneral  sub- 
ject of  Stoddardeanism,  see  S.  E.  Dwight's  "  Life  of  Pres.  Edwards," 
Wisner's  Ilist.  Old  South  Ch.  in  Boston,"  Baird's  "  Religion  in  America," 
New  Englauder,  Vol.  IV. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER  47 

tinguiyhcd  from  the  unregencrate,  with  any  such  cer- 
tainty or  probability,  as  w^ould  make  a  profession  of 
christian  experience  a  suitable  and  just  requirement, 
for  admission  to  the  full  privileges  of  church-mem- 
bership. 

It  was  the  hope  of  Mr.  Stoddard  and  other  pastors 
that  great  additions  would  be  made  to  the  churches. 
The  immediate  effect  of  opening  wide  the  door  of 
access  to  the  Lord's  table,  may  have  been  such  as  to 
encourage  them  in  their  error.  But  it  was  soon 
demonstrated,  as  it  has  been  since,  in  other  circum- 
stances, particularly  in  connection  with  "  Liberal  Chris- 
tianity,"— that  the  more  free  and  unrestricted  the 
terms  of  church-membership,  the  less,  and  still  less 
and  less,  will  be  the  number  of  applications  ;  wiiile 
the  number  of  admissions  is  always  likely  to  be  mul- 
tiplied, and  not  at  all  diminished,  by  a  consistent  and 
strict  adherence  to  the  principles  and  practice  of  the 
original  churches  of  New  England.* 

There  was  certainly  a  marked  decline  of  spiritual 
religion,  in  the  New  England  churches,  from  about 
1700  to  1740.  The  admission  of  unconverted  persons 
to  church -membership,  tended,  indubitably,  to  the  set- 
tlement of  unconverted  pastors.  Such  there  were,  it 
is  to  be  feared,  and  no  inconsiderable  number.  They 
were  men  of  serious  deportment,  orthodox  in  profes- 
sion and  speculation,  and  carefully  attentive  to  the 
ordinary  services  of  pastoral   duty.     But  they   were 

*  At  the  time  of  the  great  earthquake,  in  1727,  there  was  such  a  conster- 
nation, that,  in  many  places,  the  people  were  disposed  to  rush  into  the 
churches  in  throngs.  *'  Very  few  came  to  me  then,"  says  Mr.  Prince,  of  the 
Old  South  Church,  Boston, — "  under  deep  convictions  of  sin,  or  with  the 
inquiry, '  What  shall  we  do  to  be  saved  ;'  but  rather  to  signify  that  they  had 
such  a  sense  of  their  duty  to  come  to  the  Lord's  lnhle^  that  they  dare  not  stay 
away  any  longer?'' 


48  MEMOIR    OF 

not  "  ministers  of  the  New  Testament,"  as  Barnabas 
was,  who  was  "  a  good  man,  and  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  of  faith  ;"  and  it  could  not  be  said  of  their 
ministrations,  that  "  much  people  were  added  unto  the 
Lord:' 

Great  anxiety  was  felt  by  some  of  the  godly  pastors 
and  lay  brethren.  Before  Cotton  Mather's  death  in 
1728,  the  declension  of  vital  piety  was  so  extensive 
and  alarming,  as  to  warrant  the  opinion,  that,  "  in 
forty  years  more,  should  it  continue  to  make  progress 
as  it  had  done,  convulsions  would  ensue,  in  which 
churches  ivould  he  gathered  out  of  churches^  The 
declension  was  signally  arrested ;  but  the  experience 
of  Massachusetts,  a  century  later,  has  proved  that  the 
words  of  that  distinguished  divine  were  as  true,  as  if 
indited  by  "  the  spirit  of  prophecy."  In  his  "  Prog- 
nostications of  the  future  state  of  New  England,"  he 
refers  us  to  the  fate  of  the  ancient  town  of  Amy  else, 
in  Italy,  in  which  the  inhabitants,  after  some  false 
alarms,  were  forbidden  to  believe  any  report  of  the 
enemy's  coming,  and  were  in  consequence  easily  over- 
powered, when  the  enemy  did  come ;  because  no  one 
gave  warning,  or,  if  warning  was  given,  no  one  pre- 
pared himself  for  the  battle.  "  Corruptions  ivill  grow 
upon  this  land,  and  they  will  gain  by  silence.  It  will 
be  so  invidious  to  speak  of  them,  that  no  one  will 
dare  do  it,  and  the  fate  of  Amyclse  will  be  ours." 
Was  ever  prediction  more  exactly  fulfilled  ? 

The  works  of  Emlyn,  as  well  as  of  Whitby  and 
Taylor,  had  been  imported,  and  their  "leaven"  had 
begun  to  have  its  legitimate  operation,  in  eastern 
Massachusetts,  for  some  years  before  the  middle  of 
the  last  century.  Something  more  than  Ai'minianism 
seems  to  have  been  suspected,  in   some   instances ; 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  49 

although  no  one  of  the  pastors  is  known  to  have  been 
accused  of  being  a  Soeinian,  or  even  an  Arian. 
There  is  indirect  evidence  also,  that  the  examination 
of  candidates  for  settlement  had  become  less  thorough 
and  searching,  than  was  safe  for  the  churches.* 

But  as  in  other  countries  and  other  ages,  so  now  in 
New  England,  it  was  seen,  in  a  remarkable  manner, 

that    "  WHEN    THE  ENEMY  SHALL  COME  IN  LIKE  A  FLOOD, 

THE  Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall  lift  up  a  standard 
AGAINST  HIM."  All  instrument  of  most  formidable 
opposition  to  the  doctrine  and  practice  of  Stoddard, 
and  to  all  the  most  insiduous  and  dangerous  cor- 
ruptions of  the  evangelical  system  of  "  the  fathers," 
was  raised  up  in  his  grand-son,  Jonathan  Edavards  ; 
who,  as  the  greatest  theologian  and  metaphysician  of 
his  own  age  or  any  other,  commenced  his  renowned 
career  in  the  very  place,  where  his  much  respected 
grand-parent  had  proclaimed  and  ably  defended  his 
lamentable  errors. 

In  1734,  he  entered  into  the  controversy,  respecting 
Arminianism,  which  had  become  very  general  in  the 
churches  of  that  region.  A  course  of  sermons  on  justifi- 
cation by  faith,  with  kindred  topics,  such  as  tJie  neces- 
sity of  the  Spirit's  influences,  was  blessed  of  God 
with  a  marvellous  accompanying  of  convictions  and 
conversions.  A  similar  awakening  or  revival  was 
experienced  elsewhere,  both  in  Massachusetts  and 
Connecticut.  "  The  work  in  Northampton  was  confined 

*  "July  9,  1730.  A  Committee  was  appointed  in  New  North  Church, 
[late  Dr.  Parkman's]  Boston,  "  to  examine  whoever  might  be  a  candidate  for 
settlement,  concerning  his  christian  principles,  both  doctrinal  and  dis- 
ciplinary ;"  and  they  say—-'  Forasmuch  as  several  important  doctrines  of 
Christianity  are  vigorously  opposed  by  Deists,  Socinians,  Arians.,  arid 
Arminians,  the  Committee  will  particularly  demand  a  most  explicit  confes- 
sion of  his  faith." — Quoted  in  Result  of  Groton  Cowicil,  1827. 

5 


50  MEMOIR    OF 

to  no  class  or  age."  "  Ten  persons  above  ninety,  more 
than  fifty  above  forty  years  of  age  ;  nearly  thirty  be- 
tween ten  and  fourteen,  and  one  of  only  four,  became, 
in  the  view  of  Mr.  Edwards,  subjects  of  renewing  grace. 
More  than  three  hundred  were  added  to  the  chm'ch." 

A  fearful  shock  was  now  given  to  the  doctrine,  that 
the  exercises  of  regenerate  persons  were  not  dis- 
tinguishable from  those  of  unregenerate.  Several 
hundreds  of  new  converts,  in  different  towns,  had 
such  distinctive  religious  exercises,  that  they  had  not 
the  least  hesitation  in  speaking  of  them,  as  matters  of 
fact  in  their  consciousness,  as  much  as  any  facts  what- 
soever. They  could  give  a  rational  and  most  affecting 
account  of  their  conviction  of  sin,  their  struggle  before 
submission  to  God,  their  acceptance  of  Christ  as  the 
Savior  of  the  lost,  and  their  subsequent  trust  or  hope, 
peace  or  joy,  as  believers  in  Jesus.  Among  these  were 
many  persons  of  such  acknowledged  powers  of  intel- 
lect, and  of  such  indisputable  eminence,  that  no  man 
could  class  them  among  the  ignorant  and  the  obscure. 

Ministers  were  now  called  to  very  solemn  search- 
ings  of  heart,  in  regard  to  their  own  prospects  of 
acceptance  at  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ.  A  new 
encouragement  was  felt,  in  preaching  the  law  and  the 
gospel,  from  the  expectation  that  hearers  would  be 
converted,  and  would  be  able  to  exhibit  credible 
evidence  of  having  passed  from  death  unto  life. 
Church  members,  also,  could  not  all  escape  the  ques- 
tion so  pungently  asked  by  some  in  our  own  days, 
"  What  reason  have  I  to  think  myself  a  Christian  ?" 


jj* 


*  Intelligence  of  the  revival  in  this  coimtry  arrested  the  attention  of 
a  multitude  in  England  and  Scotland.  Edwards  wrote  a  narrative,  under 
the  title  of  "  Surprising  Conversions," — which  was  published  in  London, 
"  with  an  Introduction  by  Drs.  Watts  and  Guise."  It  was  soon  reprinted  in 
Boston,  was  extensively  read,  and  exerted  a  powerful  influeiice. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  51 

In  1740,  revivals  commenced  anew  at  Northampton, 
Boston,  and  many  other  places,  very  nearly  at  the 
same  time,  and  spread  within  a  year  and  a  half 
throughout  all  the  English  colonies.  For  some  time, 
there  was  most  evidently  a  silent,  powerful,  and 
sublime  work  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  Whitefield 
came,  and  preached  like  Peter  on  the  day  of  Pente- 
cost. Afterwards,  the  intemperate  zeal  of  some 
preachers,  like  Davenport,  with  excesses  of  various 
kinds,  gave  occasion  to  open  and  violent  contention 
in  some  towns,  and,  perhaps,  in  none  more  unhappily 
than  in  Boston. 

Just  in  the  hour  of  need,  the  great  and  good 
Edwards  applied  his  gigantic  powers,  in  a  searching 
and  refining  operation,  that  all  who  would,  might  see 
the  difference  between  the  precious  and  the  vile.  His 
work,  entitled  "  Thoughts  on  the  Revival  of  Religion 
in  New  England,  and  the  way  in  which  it  ought  to 
be  acknowledged  and  promoted," — begins  and  ends, 
as  if  his  soul  had  been  bathing  for  years,  in  the  "  pure 
river  of  water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal,  proceeding  out 
of  the  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb." 

The  Rev.  Francis  Worcester  was  educated  in  the 
belief  of  the  same  doctrines,  as  Edwards  preached 
with  such  effect  at  Northampton,  and  David  Brainerd, 
at  the  same  time,  among  the  Pagan  Indians  of  New 
Jersey.  His  experimental  views  of  the  Gospel  were 
in  entire  harmony  with  theirs.  He  was  a  Calvinist  of 
"  the  straitest  sect ;"  and  his  also  was  "  the  reproach 
of  Christ,"  in  the  contemptuous  appellation  of  the 
New  Lights.* 

*  "  New  Lights  "  was  a  stigma,  which  some  clergymen  of  high  standing 
did  not  scruple  to  use,  in  their  opposition  to  the  "  Great  Awakening."  la 
Germany,  those  who  sympathized  with  such  men,  as  Spener,  Francke, 


52  MEMOIR    OF 

It  was  not  his  privilege  to  prepare  for  the  ministry, 
according  to  the  usage,  which  from  the  first  had 
required  a  regular  course  of  collegiate  studies.*  He 
learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  and  employed  him- 
self as  such,  until  thirty-four  years  old.  But  his  early 
discipline  under  the  parental  roof,  and  his  continued 
exertions  in  acquiring  the  most  useful  knowledge,  had 
nourished  and  expanded  "  the  power  of  thought."  He 
was  thoroughly  read  in  the  Scriptures,  and  prompt  in 
his  references  and  quotations.  A  diligent  use  had 
been  made  of  a  good  family  library,  for  that  day ; 
and  perhaps  his  "  profiting  appeared  to  all,"  quite  as 

Anton,  Breithaupt,  &c.,  had  long  been  reproached  as  Pietists  ;  while  in 
England,  the  followers  of  Wesley,  had  been  derided  as  Methodists.,  for  the 
same  reasons,  as  gave  such  currency  to  the  appellation,  "  New  Lights,"  in 
New  England. 

"  Alas  !  in  how  many  places,  even  among  Protestants,"  says  the  candid 
and  estimable  Dr.  Scott,  "  is  a  minister  who  inculcates  the  great  doctrines 
of  Christianity,  as  stated  at  the  Reformation,  accused  of  preaching  a  new 
religion^  and  bringing  strange  things  to  the  ears  of  the  people!  Indeed, 
everything  is  neiv  to  the  igjiorayit,  as  it  is  to  a  child,  however  long  and  ex- 
tensively it  has  before  been  known  :  and  such  charges  proclaim,  either  the 
ignorance,  or  the  enmity  to  the  truth,  of  those  who  bring  them." — Notes, 
Hos.  X :  11,  12. 

*  ''  It  had  been  as  unnatural,"  said  Ed.  Johnson,  "  for  a  right  New  Eng- 
land man  to  live  without  an  able  [i.  e.  a  well  educated  and  godlyj  ministry, 
as  for  a  smith  to  work  his  iron  without  a  fire."  New  England  is  immeasurably 
indebted  to  such  a  ministry,  as  did  not  shrink  from  the  discussion  of  the 
highest  or  the  deepest  "  mysteries  "  of  divine  science  ;  but  has  been  ready 
to  encounter  every  objection  of  the  candid  or  the  "  contentious,''  and  vindi- 
cate the  cardinal  doctrines  of  the  "  Westminster  Confession,"  upon  the 
strictest  principles  and  rules  of  evidence  and  logic,  and  with  the  most 
thorough  investigation  of  the  facts,  according  to  the  Baconian  method. 

"  You  Scotch  are  a  strange  people.  *  *  What  good  does  all  your 
theology  do  you?" — "  Independently  altogether  of  religious  considerations," 
I  repHed,  "  it  has  done  for  our  people  what  all  your  societies  for  the  Difiu- 
sion  of  Useful  Knowledge,  and  all  your  Penny  and  Saturday  Magazines, 
will  never  do  for  yours  ;  it  has  awakened  their  intellects,  and  taught  them 
how  to  think.  The  development  of  the  popular  mind  in  Scotland  is  a  result 
of  its  theology." — Hugh  Mlller''s  "  First  Impressions  of  England  and  its 
People,''^ 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  53 

plainly  as  that  of  many  others,  whose  means  -of  intel- 
lectual and  moral  culture  were  far  greater.  He  has 
recorded  of  himself,  that  it  was  no  task  "  to  give 
attendance  to  reading  ;"  while  his  habitual  preference 
led  lym  to 

"  Such  books  as  tended  to  give  light 
Into  such  thing's  as  are  divine." 

When  once  asked  what  commentaries  he  most  used, 
he  answered,  '^  the  Bible.  I  make  the  Bible  interpret 
itself;  one  part  explaining  another  part."  Throughout 
his  life,  he  showed  the  profoundest  reverence  for  the 
unadulterated  and  unsophisticated  instructions  of  the 
Word  of  God.*  He  wielded  the  "  sword  of  the 
Spirit,"  with  the  fearless  and  unsparing  energy  of 
a  Boanerges. 

An  important  means  of  his  usefulness  was  derived 
from  his  domestic  relations.  His  wife  was  a  pattern 
of  loveliness  and  godliness.  A  grand-daughter,  who 
deceased  in  1850,  well  remembered  her,  as  "  a  comely 
woman,  of  great  piety,  and  very  affectionate."  She 
fulfilled,  in  every  part,  the  inspired  description  of  "  the 
woman  that  feareth  the  Lord." — "  Her  children  arise 
up,  and  call  her  blessed;  her  husband  also,  and  he 
praiseth  her." 

At  the  time  of  her  husband's  license  to  preach,  in 
1732,  they  had  been  married  twelve  years,  and  had 
four  children.  The  objections  which  this  circum- 
stance alone  would  have  pressed  upon  their  minds,  in 
view  of  so  great  a  change  in  their  mode  of  life,  and 
certainly  upon  the  minds  of  their  relatives  and  friends, 

*  One  folio  volume  of  a  valuable  commentary  on  the  Scriptures,  which 
he  must  have  had  from  his  father's  library,  and  which  bears  the  marks  of 
hard  service,  is  now  in  sight  at  this  present  writing. 

6* 


54  MEMOIR    OF      ■ 

could  not  easily  have  been  overcome.  The  subject 
was  under  consideration,  for  several  years,  before  he 
resolved  to  go  forward. 

It  is  much  to  his  credit,  that  he  was  duly  authorized 
to  offer  himself  a  candidate  for  settlement  in  the  min- 
istry.    Without  a  diploma  from   Harvard  or  Yale,  or 
an  equivalent,  he  could  not  have  obtained  license  to 
preach,  unless  the  ecclesiastical  body  granting  it,  had 
been  decidedly  of  the  opinion,  that  his  abilities  and 
piety  were  sufficient  to  constitute  an  exception  to  the 
common   rule.     It  is   thought,   also,  that  the  urgent 
want  of  more  preachers,  who  felt  "  the  love   of  Christ 
constraining,"  was  a  leading  motive  in  changing  his 
occupation,  when  such  an  experiment  was  so  extreme- 
ly rare,  if  indeed  it  were  not  without  example.     StUl 
he  is  not  supposed  to  have  thought  lightly  of  his  tal- 
ents ;  nor  to  have  been  unwilling  to  remember,  that 
he  was  the  first  of  the  family  to  wear  the  consecrated 
mantle  of  his  revered  "  forefather,"  of  Salisbury. 

He  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  Second  Church, 
in  Sandwich,  Mass.,  in  1735 ;  the  year,  it  will  be 
noted,  in  which  the  Spirit  of  God  was  so  manifested 
at  Northampton.  The  divine  blessing  attended  his 
earnest  and  ardent  ministrations,  in  public  and  pri- 
vate. In  course  of  a  few  years,  he  was  permitted  to 
receive  into  the  church  under  his  care,  and  from  a 
small  community,  upwards  of  a  hundred,  upon  a  pro- 
fession of  their  faith  in  Christ,  and  as  having  "  passed 
from  death  unto  life." 

His  greatest  success  was  among  that  class  of  peo- 
ple, it  may  be  presumed,  who  thought  little  of  classi- 
cal learning,  but  more  of  the  "  unction,"  which  testi- 
fied the  speaker's  own  sympathy  with  "the  mind  of 
the  Spirit."     Like  others  since,  they  may  have  under- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  55 

valued  liberal  studies  and  accomplishments ;  but  as 
did  thousands,  at  the  same  period,  in  America  and  in 
Europe,  they  welcomed  to  their  hearts  the  words  of 
salvation,  though  from  lips  "rude  and  unlettered."* 
When  hungering  for  "  the  bread  of  life,"  they  had 
stood  before  the  accredited  stewards  "  of  the  mysteries 
of  the  kingdom;"  and  had  gone  away  no  better  satis- 
fied, than  if  "stones"  had  been  given  them.  If  to 
such,  an  Edwards,  or  a  Tennent  ministered,  it  was  as 
if  an  angel  had  appeared. 

In  addition  to  unwearied  labors  among  his  own 
people,  at  Sandwich,  Rev.  Francis  Worcester  preach- 
ed in  many  other  places,  with  evident  tokens  of  the 
blessing  of  God.  "I  loved  to  preach,"  he  said,  "both 
night  and  day."  During  the  period  of  the  "  Great 
Awakening,"  few  pastors  could  have  enjoyed  more,  or 
have  given  glory  to  God  with  a  more  fervent  spirit. 
Equally  removed  in  his  sentiments  and  practice,  on 
the  one  hand,  from  those  who  "offered  sti'ange  fire 
unto  the  Lord,"  and  on  the  other,  from  those  who 
more  than  doubted  the  desirableness  of  the  Revival, 
he  enrolled  his  name  among  the  signatures  to  "  The 
Testimony  and  Advice  of  an  Assembly  of  Pastors  of 
Churches  in  New  England,  at  a  meeting  in  Boston, 
July  7,  1743, — occasioned  by  the  late  happy  Revival 
of  Religion  in  many  parts  of  the  land."  His  name 
was  there  written,  without  any  qualification  as  to  "  the 
substance,  scope,  and  end."  f 

*  The  cultivation  of  style,  however,  was  not  much  an  object  of  attention, 
among  the  best  educaXtii. —Divighfs  Life  of  Edwards,  p.  601. 

t  "  The  Great  Awakening,"  &c.,  by  Joseph  Tracy. 

Of  the  most  respectable  ministers  in  New  England,  New  York,  and  New 
Jersey,  o?ie  hundred  a7id  sixty  uniliid  m  a  public  attestation  to  the  genuine- 
ness and  purity  of  the  Revival,  in  most  places  ;  while  they  joined  with  Mr. 
Edwards,  in  censuring  and  deploring  those  improprieties   and   excesses, 


56  MEMOIR    OF 

No  inconsiderable  part  of  that  which  now  makes 
the  true  glory  of  New  England,  and  affords  the 
brightest  promise  of  the  world's  hastening  and  ap- 
proaching salvation,  may  confidently  be  ascribed  to 
"the  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power,"  in 
that  "happy  Revival  of  Religion."  Those  who  had 
the  best  means  of  judging,  it  has  been  recorded,  esti- 
mated the  number  of  true  converts,  as  proved  by  their 
subsequent  lives,  at  30,000,  in  New  England  alone, 
when  the  whole  population  was  but  300,000 ;  beside 
many  thousands  more  among  the  Presbyterians  of 
New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  more 
southern  settlements.  A  similar  operation  would  add 
to  the  churches  in  Massachusetts,  within  the  next 
three  years,  more  than  90,000  persons,  young  and  old, 
and  of  such  as  would  continue  to  sustain  a  christian 
character ;  and  to  the  churches  throughout  the  Union, 
more  than  two  millions  I  *  No  marvel,  that  Edwards 
so  rejoiced  in  the  belief,  that  the  millennium  is  to  be- 
gin in  New  England.  Most  cordially  did  he  respond 
to  the  proposal  by  the  churches  of  Scotland,  in  1746, 
for  a  Concert  of  Prayer  for  the  conversion  of  the  world. 

which  had  given  the  enemies  of  God  much  occasion  to  blaspheme.     And  of 
about  175  churches  in  Massachusetts,  at  least  one  half  were  friendly  to  the 
Revival ;  while  a  large  part  of  the  rest  should  not  be  considered  as  in  oppo- 
sition. 

*  The  heathen,  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  shared  largely  in  the 
blessings  of  that  remarkable  visitation  of  the  Spirit.  See  Notes,  Wisner's 
Hist.  Old  South,  Sec.  pp.  111-112.  "Vast  numbers  of  Indians  have,  to  all 
appearance,  been  called  out  of  darkness  into  marvellous  light" 

Among  other  preparatives  of  the  Revival,  it  is  interesting,  at  the  present 
time,  to  know,  that  many  thousands  of  bibles,  tracts,  and  evangelical  books, 
had  been  distributed  by  a  kind  of  coljwrtage,  particularly  in  the  colonies 
south  of  New  England.  This  work  was  done,  chiefly,  under  the  auspices 
of  the  "  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,"  which  originated  in 
169S  ;  and  was  formed,  as  Bishop  Burnet  observes,  after  the  example  of  the 
Dissenters,  whose  missionary  labors  and  success  in  America  had  been  no- 
ticed by  some  pious  clergymen  with  devout  admiration. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  57 

Some  difficnlties  having  arisen  in  the  Second 
Chnrch,  at  Sandwich,  as  in  other  churches, — a  Coun- 
cil, in  1745,*  advised  the  dismission  of  the  pastor. 
To  Ihis  advice,  he  acceded,  and  both  the  Council  and 
the  Church  commended  him  to  the  churches  general- 
ly, in  a  manner  which  was  very  grateful  to  his  feel- 
ings. 

About  a  year  afterwards,  he  removed  to  Exeter, 
N.  H.,  and  subsequently  to  Plaistow.  In  1750,  he 
took  up  his  residence  in  Ilollis,  which  had  then  been 
incorporated  but  fourteen  years ;  and  had  hardly 
ceased  to  be  "  the  forest  of  Nissitissit,"  from  which  in 
times  of  peril  and  want,  wives  and  mothers  "left  their 
husbands  and  children,  and  rode  to  Andover,  Woburn, 
and  Chelmsford,  to  procure  sustenance  for  their  fami- 
lies, and  returning,  swam  their  horses  over  the  Nashua, 
in  the  stillness  and  darkness  of  night,  f 

The  greater  part  of  his  time  he  employed  in  preach- 
ing, as  an  evangelist,  "wherever  he  thought  that  he 
was  called  in  providence.":]:  He  was  in  fact  a  home 
missionary^  in  the  destitute  parts  of  New  Hampshire, 
and  in  other  sections  of  the  country.  His  services 
were  the  same,  as  those  which,  a  half  a  century  later, 

*The  year  of  the  famous  expedition  to  Louisburg,  in  which  all  classes  of 
the  New  England  people  took  the  deepest  interest ;  and  none  more  than 
the  clergy  and  the  most  devout  lay  brethren,  who  regarded  the  issue  as  of 
the  greatest  moment,  in  respect  to  their  Protestant  institutions,  which  had 
cost  so  great  a  price,  and  which  were  now  threatened  with  hopeless  de- 
struction, by  the  Jesuits  and  the  Catholic  power  of  France.  It  was  the  first 
time,  as  some  may  not  have  known,  that  any  considerable  number  of  the 
descendants  of  "  the  fathers,"  were  directly  exposed  to  the  corrupting  in- 
fluence of  the  people  of  the  old  world.  The  moral  habits  oithe  French  did 
no  good  to  the  New  England  troops. 

t  Centennial  Address,  Rev.  Grant  Powers. — The  first  family  moved  into 
what  is  now  called  Hollis,  in  1731.  The  whole  population  of  the  State,  in 
1730,  was  but  12,000.     In  1749,  it  was  nearly  30,000. 

X  Inscription  upon  the  stone,  which  marks  the  place  of  his  burial. 


58  MEMOIR    OP 

were  performed  under  the  direction  of  Missionary 
Associations.  He  labored  like  Paul,  "at  his  own 
charges ;"  and  like  the  Apostle  also  received  contribu- 
tions, believing  that  "the  laborer  is  worthy  of  his 
hire,"  and  that  it  is  righteously  ordained,  that  "  they 
who  preach  the  Gospel  should  live  of  the  Gospel."  * 

He  preached  generally  in  some  of  the  least  favored 
of  all  the  new  settlements,  and  continued  there,  for 
several  months  at  a  time,  and  even  a  year.  His  health 
was  too  precarious,  for  a  permanent  charge.  He  was 
so  constantly  liable  to  attacks  of  the  asthma,  and 
other  maladies,  that  the  labors  of  an  evangelist  were 
all  that  he  could  attempt.  And  to  these  he  may  have 
been  specially  inclined,  from  his  intimate  acquaint- 
ance, and,  according  to  his  ability,  his  ardent  co-ope- 
ration with  Whitefield. 

He  accompanied  that  extraordinary  man,  in  several 
preaching  excursions.  His  acquaintance  mth  him 
probably  commenced,  as  early  as  1740.  When  taken 
suddenly  ill,  Whitefield  said  to  him,  with  his  accus- 
tomed pleasantry ; — "  Well,  Worcester,  you  must  go, 
and  somid  your  '  ram's  horn ' !  "  His  friend  obeyed, 
and  preached  from  Rev.  1.  7.  "  Behold  he  cometh  with 
clouds,  and  every  eye  shall  see  him,  and  they  also 
that  pierced  him ;  and  all  the  kindreds  of  the  earth 
shall  wail  because  of  him.  Even  so.  Amen."  The 
discourse  was  "terribly  in  earnest," — as  was  character- 


*  He  was  doing  for  the  destitute  in  New  England  the  same  kind  of  be- 
nevolent service,  as  that  which  was  very  extensively  performed,  in  the 
Middle  and  Southern  Slates,  by  Presbyterian  pastors  and  evangelists,  who 
were  responsible  to  different  Presbyteries  and  Synods. — The  missions  of 
the  Presbyterian  churches,  were  of  immense  value,  in  establishing  the  in- 
stitutions of  the  Gospel,  South  and  West  of  New  England. — Assembly's 
Magazine^  1805. 

At  this  time,  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  aided  feeble  churches,  by 
grants  from  the  public  treasury. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  59 

istic  of  the  proaclior,  when  warning  of  "the  WTath  to 
come."  Its  efl'ect  is  reported  to  have  been  not  a  little 
increased,  by  the  simultaneous  appearance  of  the 
northern  lights ;  which,  by  their  extraordinary  bright- 
ness, seemed  to  many  a  sure  token,  that  the  coming 
of  the  Lord  "in  flaming  fire"  was  "nigh  at  hand,  even 
at  the  door." 

The  date  of  this  event  has  not  been  ascertained. 
It  is  thought,  however,  to  have  been  as  late  as  Sep- 
tember, 1770, — a  week  or  two  previous  to  the  death 
of  Whitefield,  at  Newburyport.  And  it  cannot  but  be 
regarded  as  an  interesting  reminiscence,  which  thus 
brings  the  grand-parent  of  the  first  Corresponding 
Secretary  of  the  American  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, into  such  a  connection  with  that  distinguished 
herald  of  salvation,  whose  ministry  was  as  "  life  to  the 
dead,"  to  so  many  thousands  in  the  North  and  the 
South  ;  and  whose  powerful  influence  in  the  cause  of 
vital  Christianity,  was  of  incalculable  effect,  in  pre- 
paring the  way  for  the  domestic  and  foreign  mission- 
ary enterprises  of  the  last  and  the  present  generation. 

From  the  "  Great  Awakening,"  to  the  death  of 
Whitefield,  in  1770,  and  onward  for  more  than  twenty 
years,  there  was  no  general  revival  in  the  churches. 
But  in  many  places,  there  were  "  times  of  refreshing ;" 
as  we  are  now  permitted  to  know,  every  year,  more 
definitely,  from  the  historical  sermons,  centennial  or 
semi-centennial,  or  otherwise  occasional.,  which  have 
become  so  common  and  are  so  worthy  of  public  at- 
tention. 

Thus  in  1763,  there  was  a  revival  of  religion  in  the 
second  parish  in  Ipswich,'  Mass.,  under  the  ministry  of 
Rev.  John  Cleaveland,  which  "  terminated  in  the  hope- 
ful conversion  of  more  than  one  hundred  souls." 


60  MEMOIR    OF 

"  Sometime  in  the  month  of  October,  (1763,)  the 
Rev.  Francis  Worcester  came  to  preach  to  my  people 
one  Sabbath,  and  I  supplied  his  place.  He  came 
early  in  the  week,  and  preached  several  lectures  be- 
fore the  Sabbath,  and  several  after,  and  took  his  leave 
of  us  with  a  lecture  to  young  people ;  and  as  their  at- 
tention was  roused  by  his  other  discourses,  several 
things  in  this  took  svich  fast  hold  of  their  consciences, 
that  they  could  not  shake  them  off."  * 

Mr.  Worcester  is  here  mentioned,  as  if  laboring 
somewhere  in  the  vicinity.  It  was  probably  in  a  part 
of  Beverly,  called  Montserrat,  where  he  was  long  re- 
membered with  much  interest,  for  his  preaching  and 
his  conversation. 

Li  numerous  places,  he  left  a  strong  impression  of 
his  character, — more  particularly  his  earnest,  inde- 
fatigable devotedness  to  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  His 
conversational  powers  made  him  a  pleasant  compan- 
ion, while  his  rich  stores  of  christian  experience  im- 
parted a  peculiar  charm  to  his  familiar  intercourse 
with  the  friends  of  the  Savior.  For  common,  practi- 
cal concerns  of  daily  life,  he  was  ever  ready  with  en- 
tertaining and  instructive  suggestions  and  anecdotes. 
Many  of  his  remarks  were  never  forgotten ;  but  long 
after  he  was  dead,  were  referred  to  as  maxims,  or  as 
the  reflections  of  a  man  of  "  sound  wisdom  and  dis- 
cretion." f 

*  Hist.  Dis.,  Jan.  1, 1S15,  by  Rev.  Robert  Crowell. 

t  It  must  be  more  than  eig'hty  years,  since  he  preached  in  Beverly.  But 
it  is  only  a  short  time  ago,  that  an  elderly  gentleman  quoted  a  saying,  which, 
in  his  earlier  life,  had  been  repeated  in  his  hearing  by  one  who  was  then  a 
living  witness ;  and  which,  as  originally  applied,  was  doubtless  called  to 
mind  by  an  occasion,  such  as  has  not  yet  ceased  to  occur.  "  Old  Mr.  Wor- 
cester used  to  say,  that  he  had  been  about  a  great  deal ;  and  according 
to  his  observation  of  the  slate  of  people,  the  \i:oman  has  the  hardest  part 
ofitP' 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  61 

At  the  time  of  his  ]n*cachiiig  with  such  marked  ef- 
fect, in  Ipswich,  he  was  sixty-live  years  old.  For  al- 
most twenty  years  longer,  he  was  employed  in  "the 
work  of  an  evangelist."  It  has  been  said  of  him  ;  that, 
"  wherever  he  went  to  preach,  revivals  followed." 

He  loved  to  go  where  a  good  work  had  begun. 
A  revival  was  his  element.  At  Ipswich,  the  church 
and  congregation  had  been  so  much  affected,  by  pre- 
vious means  and  instrumentalities,  that  they  were  in 
a  very  favorable  state  to  hear  his  "rousing"  dis- 
courses. * 

Until  quite  recently,  there  were  still  living  some 
"very  aged  men,"  who  perfectly  remembered  his 
preaching,  and  while  he  was  an  attendant  of  White- 
field.  One  of  these  described  him,  as  evidently  infe- 
rior to  many  in  learning  and  taste,  but  as  surpassed 
by  few  in  his  spirit  of  piety,  his  zeal  for  the  honor  of 
Christ,  and  his  solemn,  earnest,  and  pungent  manifes- 
tations of  the  truth  to  the  conscience  and  the  heart.f 
Bold  as  a  lion,  and  neither  terrified  nor  disconcerted 
by  any  man's  presence,  he  was  yet  very  affectionate 
and  tender  in  his  exhortations  and  appeals.  He  had 
great  success  in  arresting  the  attention  of  the  young. 
They  were  very  naturally  atti'acted  and  affected,  by 
his  personal  appearance.  In  height  and  breadth  of 
frame,  he  presented  the  proportions  of  a  commanding 

*  As  a  preparation  for  that  revival,  in  17G3,  Mr.  Cleaveland  referred  to  an 
*'  agreement "  of  the  church,  in  1760.  It  was  "  agreed  to  spend  one  day  every 
quarter  of  the  year,  in  a  congregational  fasting  and  praying  for  the  outpo2ir- 
ing  of  God's  Spirit  npon  them,  and  upon  all  nations,  agreeable  to  the  concert 
of  prayer  first  entered  into  in  Scotland,  some  years  before  ;  and  also  to  spend 
part  of  a  day,  once  a  fortnight,  in  private  religious  conference  ;  which  con- 
ference was  afterwards  held  once  a  week,  and  several  at  these  meetings 
appeared  to  be  favored  with  a  remarkable  spirit  of  prayer  for  the  rising 
generation." 

t  Hon.  Timothy  Farrar,  who  died  at  HoUis,  Feb.  21, 1S49,  aged  101. 

6 


62  MEMOIR    OF 

and  majestic  figure ;  which,  with  the  intellectual  and 
benignant  cast  of  his  eye  and  countenance  generally, 
added  much  to  his  power  of  address. 

An  intelligent  mati'on,  of  nearly  ninety  years  of  age, 
who  in  her  youth  sat  under  his  preaching  for  a  year, 
and  often  saw  him  at  her  father's  house,  related  of 
him,*  that  "  he  was  fond  of  talking  of  his  family,  his 
children,  and  his  grand-childi'en.  He  said,  that  there 
were  to  be  four  ministers,  gi*and-sons  of  his,  in  one 
family."  The  prediction  was  verified  to  the  letter. 
But  those  grandsons  were  all  young,  and  neither 
could  then  have  had  a  distinct  purpose  or  prospect  of 
any  other  than  an  agricultural  or  mechanical  calling. 
The  confidence,  therefore,  of  the  gi'and-parent,  as  thus 
related,  can  only  be  explained  by  his  discovery  of 
talents  and  tendencies  in  each  of  them,  which,  accord- 
ing to  his  own  example,  might  never  be  permanently 
satisfied  with  such  a  mode  of  life.f 

In  his  "  60th  year,"  and  when  "  confined  in  weak- 
ness," he  WTote  a  variety  of  "  meditations  in  verse," 
which  were  published  in  Boston,  in  1759  and  1760. 
They  were  written  without  much  effort,  and  as  if  the 
afflicted,  but  comforted  sufferer,  could  thus  obtain  a 
pleasant  diversion  of  his  mind,  beside  being  useful,  as 
he  hoped,  to  "  christian  friends."  Some  examples  in 
the  foregoing  pages,  may  render  it  quite  superfluous 
to  remark,  that  his  metre  and  rhymes  are  at  best  of 
the  order  of  Bunyan,  or  rather  of  "  Tate  and  Brady ;" 
and  hence,  in  more  recent  days,  have  been  remembered 
in  the  family  circle,  like  some  of  the  less  fortunate 

*  At  Hardwick,  Vt.,  Aug.  1848. 

t  The  witness  who  has  just  been  quoted,  remarked  concerning  him,  that 
"  he  was  a  very  large  man,  erect  in  his  figure,  of  a  noble  presence,  and  ma- 
jestic deportment.  *  *  *  He  was  reckoned  very  set  in  his  own  vjay,  and 
hard  to  turn  from  it.    He  meant  to  be  right,  and  he  meant  to  stick  to  it  /" 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  63 

stanzas  of  the  unequalled  Dr.  Watts.  In  his  "  Songs 
upon  Death,"  there  is  much  of  the  same  sentiment,  as 
in  Baxter's  "  Dying  Thoughts,"  and  "  Saint's  Rest." 
Such  works  as  that  of  Edwards  on  the  "  Aflections," 
contain  no  better  remedies  for  "  soul  complaints,"  than 
he  has  quaintly  given,  in  his  "  Cordials  for  the  dear 
Children  of  God,  who  mourn  under  the  complaint  for 
want  of  faith ;  the  complaint  of  a  hard  heart ;  the 
complaint  of  a  stubborn  ivill;  and  the  complaint  for 
ivant  of  love  to  God  and  ChristP  One  of  his  composi- 
tions in  the  same  style,  was  entitled,  "  Sabbath  Pro- 
fanity, (the  most  Crying  Sin  of  New  England ;) 
Testified  against,  by  way  of  Dialogue,  Between  a 
Dying  Man  and  his  Friend.  With  a  Song  for  Sab' 
bath  Breakers^  and  a  Song  for  Sleepers  at  meetings  &c." 
In  soberness  and  in  irony,  he  remonstrates  against  the 
growing  desecration  of  the  Lord's-day.  But  it  is  very 
noticeable,  that  all  his  accusations  may  be  comprised 
in  one  class  of  trespasses  alone, — worldly  thoughts  and 
discourse. — He  rebukes  and  warns,  as  if  his  "  righteous 
soul "  had  been  "  vexed,^'  like  that  of  Lot  in  Sodom, 
in  seeing  or  knowing  so  much,  that  was  at  variance 
with  his  own  practice,  and  that  of  his  forefathers. 

In  many  passages,  he  refers  to  Arrninian  doctrines, 
as  if  they  were  becoming  very  prevalent,  and  ought  to 
be  shunned  and  rebuked  by  all,  who  "  loved  the  truth 
and  peace." — Arminianism  was  now  very  extensively 
regarded,  as  having  a- secret  alliance  with  Arianismand 
Socinianism. 

His  "  Songs "  so  gratefully  commemorative  of  his 
forefathers,  so  ingenuously  descriptive  of  himself,  and 
so  piously  admonitory  to  Ids  descendants,  were  chiefly 
written  in  that  same  '^  60th  year  of  his  age,"  when  he 
felt,  that  he  was  soon   to  depart  and  be  with  Christ. 


64 


MEMOIR    OF 


They  breathe  a  spirit  of  fervent  faith,  and  of  joy  un- 
speakable. It  does  not  seem  possible,  that  any  "  man 
of  God"  could  have  ever  had  a  more  devout  and  ago- 
nizing desire,  for  the  piety  and  salvation  of  his  chil- 
dren, and  of  all  his  posterity.  But  he  anticipated, 
that  some,  if  not  many  of  them,  would  "  err  from  the 
truth,"  or  through  neglect  of  the  "great  salvation," 
would  "  have  no  inheritance  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
and  of  God."  His  recorded  expostulations  with  such, 
and  his  lamentations  over  them,  would  seem  to  be  no 
less  scriptural,  and  scarcely  less  admonitory  and 
solemn,  if  they  had  fallen  from  the  lips  of  one  of  "  the 
holy  men  of  God,"  who  "  of  old  spake,  as  they  were 
moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost." 

Recovering  his  health,  he  "went  about  doing  good," 
in  the  manner  already  described,  until  he  was  al- 
most eighty-five  years  old. — Ready  and  waiting  to  de- 
part, he  died,  Oct.  14,  1783 ;  and  was  gathered  to  his 
burial,  as  one  long  prepared  for  "a  crown  of  right- 
eousness," "  at  the  appearing  of  Jesus  Christ." 

One  son,  bearing  the  name  of  Samuel^  was  drowned 
in  early  manhood.  Another  son  went  to  the  military 
post  of  Oswego,  was  taken  captive,  and  died  at  Mon- 
treal. Both  of  these  were  reputedly  pious. — The  eldest 
son,  Francis,  lived  at  Plymouth,  N.  H.  He  had  an 
undisputed  reputation  for  talents,  was  a  prominent 
citizen,  and  a  worthy  member  and  officer  of  the 
church. — Noah,  the  youngest  and  only  other,  was  to 
his  parents,  all  that  his  name  imports,  in  its  original 
Hebrew  significance.  If  they  could  have  foreseen 
their  own  condition,  and  his  filial  piety,  they  would 
have  exclaimed  at  his  birth :  "  This  same  shall  com- 
fort us,  concerning  our  work,  and  toil  of  our  hands  " 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  65 


V.    NoAii  Worcester 


was  born  at  Sandwich,  Mass.,  Oct.  4,  1735,  and  was 
an  active,  enterprising  youth,  when  his  father,  the 
Rev.  Francis,  removed  to  Hollis.  He  had  very  small 
advantages  of  education  at  school.  But  he  had  good 
powers  of  mind,  which,  in  imitation  of  his  ancestors, 
he  well  improved.  The  ministerial  habits  of  his  father, 
in  communion  with  whom  he  intimately  lived,  are  also 
to  be  remembered,  as  a  quickening  influence  upon  his 
natural  capacity  and  disposition.  And  far  from  being 
the  least  worthy  of  record,  is  the  nurture  he  received 
from  one  of  the  best  of  mothers. 

At  the  time  when  he  came  to  his  majority,  the 
fiercely  conflicting  interests  of  England  and  France 
had  produced  such  a  state  of  things,  throughout  the 
northern  colonies,  that,  for  "  many  long  years,  the 
father  had  not  cultivated  his  field  in  safety,  nor  had 
the  mother  committed  her  infant  charge  to  rest,  but 
with  the  most  distressing  apprehensions."* 

Beside  the  cultivation  of  the  farm,  which  his  father 
had  put  into  his  hands,  upon  conditions  which  de- 
manded great  industry,  he  followed  the  trade  of  a 
shoe-maker.  Like  some  others  in  the  same  occupa- 
tions, who  have  risen  to  eminence  and  renown,  he  had 
the  desire  and  redeemed  time,  for  extensive  reading 
and  profitable  reflectioii.  So  competent  was  he  for 
the  discharge  of  public  business,  that  he  soon  had 
occasion  to  devote  much  of  his  time  to  the  affairs  of 
the  town.  His  punctuality  was  most  scrupulous.  He 
delayed  nothing,  for  simple  convenience.  In  many 
instances,  it  was  enough  for  the  people  to  know  his 

*  Centennial  Address  at  Hollis,  1831. 


66  MEMOIR    OF 

opinions  or  preferences,  and  they  would  give  their 
votes,  as  if  from  his  judgment  there  could  be  no 
reasonable  appeal.  And  before  thirty  years  of  age, 
he  was  respected  in  the  town,  as  already  one  of  "  the 
ancient  men."  There  was  unbounded  confidence  in 
his  wisdom  and  integrity. 

For  fifty-two  years,  he  held  the  office  of  a  Justice 
of  peace  for  the  County  of  Hillsborough.  He  pre- 
sided at  many  trials,  and,  in  numerous  cases  of  serious 
and  complicated  strife,  gave  judgment  with  the  hap- 
piest effect.  Such  was  his  knowledge  of  the  princi- 
ples of  government  and  law,  that  he  was  probably 
better  qualified,  than  any  man  of  the  town,  to  fill  the 
seat,  with  which  he  was  honored,  in  the  convention 
that  formed  the  Constitution  of  the  State. 

In  the  war  of  Independence  he  took  an  earnest  part, 
ready  to  lay  down  his  life.  When  his  domestic  cir- 
cumstances urgently  demanded  his  presence  at  home, 
he  marched  in  mid-winter  of  1775-6,  at  the  head  of  a 
company,  for  the  re-inforcement  of  Washington,  at 
Cambridge.  His  eldest  son,  who  then  had  little 
thought  of  ever  writing  a  "  Solemn  Review  of  the 
Custom  of  War,"  was  also  in  the  army  ;  had  been  in 
the  thickest  of  the  fight  on  Bunker  Hill,  and  was  after- 
wards with  the  New  Hampshire  troops  under  Stark, 
at  Bennington. — His  second  son,  Jesse,  though  but 
fifteen  years  of  age,  was  permitted  to  join  the  ex- 
pedition to  Ticondcroga,  in  1776 ;  and  repeatedly 
afterwards  was  enrolled  among  the  indomitable  "  con- 
tinentals." 

But  the  father's  heart  had  no  congeniality  for  the 
scenes  of  war.  He  was  personally  under  arms,  but 
a  few  months.  As  the  head  of  a  family,  as  a  magis- 
trate, and  as  a  leading  member  of  the  church,  he  had 


SATVniET.    WORCRSTF.R.  67 

abundant,  and  far  more  grateful  employment.  Plis 
interest  in  the  war  was  that  of  a  strictly  religious 
patriotism, — the  same  wliieh  induced  many  of  the 
clergy  of  the  first  reputation  for  talents  and  piety,  to 
attach  themselves  to  their  countrymen  and  brethren  in 
arms.* 

Of  the  frugality,  with  which  he  and  others  lived  in 
those  days  of  endurance,  an  effective  description  was 
given  by  his  son  Jesse,  at  the  Hollis  celebration  in 
1831.  "  I  was  a  stout  lad  before  I  had  any  thing  like 
a  surtout,  or  a  great  coat,  and  I  never  owned  a  hat 
worth  more  than  a  dollar,  or  wore  any  kind  of  boots, 
until  I  had  a  family.  *  *  *  It  was  thought  more 
of,  for  my  parents  to  have  tea^  once  a  w^eek  for  break- 
fast, [Sabbath  morning]  than  it  now  is  for  some  fami- 
lies to  have  it  three  times  a  day.  Spoon  victuals  was 
the  principal  support."  From  this  statement,  it  will 
be  seen,  that  the  father  was  in  very  moderate  pecu- 
niary circumstances.  But  in  this  respect,  he  was  but 
one  of  the  many. 

He  had  professed  religion,  some  considerable  time 
before  his  first  marriage,  which  was  in  his  23d  year. 
Walking  in  the  fear  of  God;  unblemished  in  his 
uprightness ;  philanthropic  in  his  views  and  aims ; 
dignified,  affable,  courteous  in  his  manners ;  his 
memory  retentive,  well-stored,  and  ready  ;  his  utter- 
ance prompt,  fluent,  agreeable,  and  impressive, — none 
of  his  brethren  in  the  church  at  Hollis,  had  more 
ability  to  stand  as  "  a  pillar,"  and  none  of  them  all 
was  more  serviceable  to  their  pastor,  in  sustaining 
meetings  of  social  devotion  and  conference. 

In  the  "  gift"  of  prayer  he  much  excelled  ;  and  that 

*  President  Dwight,  and  Dr.  Samuel  Spring  served  as  chaplains,  before 
being  sellled  as  pastors. 


68 


MT^MOTR     OF 


the  "  grace"  was  in  his  heart,  all  that  knew  him  most 
sincerely  believed. — His  clerical  friends,  of  whom  he 
had  not  a  few,  esteemed  him  "  mighty  in  the  Scriptures." 
TJiese  he  was  accustomed  to  search  ;  and  pre-eminently 
because  they  so  "  testify  of  Christ,"  in  whose  blood 
was  his  only  hope  of  final  acceptance.  An  extended 
manuscript,  embodying  the  results  "  of  his  meditations 
upon  the  life  of  Joseph,  considered  as  a  type  of  Christ, 
wi'itten  in  a  season  of  illness,  when  sixty-fom-  years" 
of  age,  revised  and  commended  to  his  children,  and 
friends,  under  date  July,  1799, — affords  proof  of  a 
very  enlightened  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  the 
"  mind  of  the  Spirit,"  in  the  words  of  "  the  true  God 
and  eternal  life."  In  some  parts,  he  shows  a  very 
discriminating  knowledge  and  sincere  approval  of  the 
sentiments  of  Hopkinsian  Calvinists."* 

After  a  discourse  by  a  young  preacher,  who  had 
been  assisted  by  him,  while  pursuing  collegiate 
studies, — he  said  to  some  friends," — "  If  that  young 
man  shall  continue  to  preach  in  this  manner,  all  the 
money  which  has  been  expended  upon  his  education 
will  be  worse  than  thrown  away."  And  to  his  face, 
he  afterwards  declared,  that  "  Socrates  or  Cicero 
would  have  preached  as  good  a  sermon."  "  Why," 
said  he,  "  for  anything  that  you  said,  no  one  would 
have  ever  imagined,  that  there  is  any  such  being  in 
the  universe,  as  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." — This  terrible 
rebuke  he  uttered  kindly,  but  truly. 

After  the  publication  of  his  son  Noah's  "Bible 
News,"  in  1810,  his  mind  was  somewhat  shaken  for  a 


*  Of  the  general  state  of  the  times,  in  respect  to  religious  opinions,  and 
the  progress  of  Arminianism  and  Arianism,  from  the  close  of  the  revolu- 
tionary war,  until  after  the  beginning  of  the  present  century,  some  views 
are  reserved  for  a  subsequent  chapter. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  69 

season,  and  he  yielded  to  doubts  of  the  strict  Trinity 
of  the  Godliead.  It  was  natural  for  lilm  to  accord 
much  deference  to  the  opinions  and  reasonings  of  a 
son,  in  whose  piety  he  had  such  an  entire  confidence, 
and  for  whose  intellect  he  cherished  a  very  high 
respect.  It  was  his  eldest  son,  his  first-born,  and 
whose  character  for  devoutness  and  "  close  walk  with 
God,"  had  had  no  brighter  example  in  the  whole  fami- 
ly.* His  son  Thomas,  also,  united  with  Noah,  in 
adopting  the  theories  of  the  "  Bible  News ;"  which, 
with  other  concurring  influences,  made  a  powerful 
impression  upon  the  aged  parent's  long  established 
religious  sentiments,  concerning  the  Father,  Son  and 
Holy  Spirit. 

But  he  lived  to  read  the  able  vindication  of  the  faith 
of  the  forefathers,  by  his  son  Samuel,  in  1815.  And 
in  the  closing  years  of  his  life,  he  appeared,  in  his 
daily  habits,  and  in  the  subjects  and  spirit  of  his  con- 
versation, as  if  his  practical  views  of  the  controverted 
points  of  the  "  great  mystery  of  godliness,"  had  under- 
gone no  essential  change,  in  consequence  of  the  very 

*  When  Noah  had  been  in  the  ministry  but  a  few  years,  he  wrote  thus  to 
his  father.  "  I  wish,  Dear  Sir,  if  you  should  think  it  proper,  to  have  you 
write  me  by  Thomas,  and  give  me  some  account  of  the  state  of  your  own 
mind,  and  your  progress  in  holiness.  I  cannot  say,  that  I  am  free  from 
concern  for  you,  lest  through  the  multiplicity  of  business  and  the  cares  of 
this  world,  you  lose  much  of  the  comfort  that  is  to  be  enjoyed,  in  a  close 
walk  with  God.  O  how  important,  that  the  professors  of  godliness  should 
live  in  the  exercise  of  a  Godlike  temper!  How  important  for  themselves, 
and  how  important  with  regard  to  sinners,  who  are  in  a  Christless  state. 
Sometimes  when  I  am  closely  attending  to  the  nature  of  godHness,  and 
realize  that  to  be  godly  is  to  be  like  God,  in  the  temper  of  our  hearts,  I  am 
led  almost  to  scruple  myself  and  every  body  else.  Surely  there  is  but  little 
of  the  conduct  of  professors,  that  will  pass  for  godliness,  when  Christ  shall 
sit  as  a  refiner,  and  separate  the  gold  from  the  dross.  It  is  a  great  thing  to 
live  for  eternity. — 

From  your  unworthy  son, 

Noah  Worcester." 


70  '  MEMOIR    OF 

plausible  and  sincere,  but  very  deceptive  and  dangerous 
speculations  in  regard  to  the  Sonship  of  Christ,  to 
which  the  earnest  attention  of  his  declining  age  had 
previously  been  drawn. — At  no  time  was  his  mind 
clouded  or  disturbed,  concerning  his  early  and  decided 
convictions  of  the  truth  and  immeasurable  importance 
of  the  other  evangelical  doctrines. 

No  characteristic  of  his  piety  was  more  prominent, 
than  his  holy  remembrance  of  the  Sabbath, — in  which 
he  but  followed  in  the  steps  of  those  who  had  gone 
before  ; — unless  it  was  his  constant  recognition  of 
providence,  for  which  also  a  succession  of  examples 
\iad  been  given  him,  by  his  progenitors.  He  truly 
"  acknowledged  God  in  all  his  ways,"  and  it  was  once 
remarked  by  him  to  a  grandson,  as  the  result  of  long 
observation, — that  he  "  had  never  known  any  one  to 
make  great  attainments  in  spiritual  life,  who  was  not 
accustomed  very  specially  to  mark  the  providence  of 
God  toicards  himself P 

By  two  mari'iages,  he  was  the  father  of  16  children  ; 
ten  of  whom  lived  to  have  families.  The  sons  who 
gave  such  celebrity  to  their  name  were  all  children  by 
his  first  marriage.  He  was  very  strict,  and  very  suc- 
cessful, as  a  parent,  who,  conscientiously  and  in  love, 
"  commanded  his  household,"  that  they  should  "  keep  the 
way  of  the  Lord ;"  until  severe  visitations  of  hypo- 
chondria, combining  with  other  causes,  or  circum- 
stances, occasioned  an  unfavorable  relaxation  of  the 
firmness  and  perseverance  of  his  earlier  management. 
His  children  were  very  dear  to  him,  and  his  heart  was 
often  burdened  to  agony,  that  every  one  of  them,  and 
all  that  should  be  born  of  them,  might  fear  the  Lord 
their  God,  and  work  the  righteousness  of  faith.  In 
his   family   prayers,  which    abounded    in   scriptural 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  71 

allusions,  and  \yoYO  often  singnlarly  original  and  feli- 
citous, never  formal,  monotonous,  or  in  pln-aseology 
stereotyped,  there  was  one  petition,  wliieh,  in  some 
mode,  would  almost  invariably  be  heard :  "  Ihat  cove- 
7ia?H  blessing's  might  descend  vpon  his  posterity^  down  to 
the  end  of  time. ^'' 

"  In  the  last  years  of  his  life," — according  to  a  brief, 
and  very  just  obituary  notice  of  his  character,* — "  he 
was  eminent  for  equanimity  and  cheerfulness  of  tem- 
per, and  for  patience  under  the  trials  he  was  called  to 
endure.  He  retained  his  mental  faculties  in  a  remark- 
able manner,  and  possessing  an  uncommonly  retentive 
memory,  he  had  a  fresh  recollection  of  the  events  of 
his  early  life,  and  was  a  very  cheerful  and  pleasing 
companion.  He  had  long  contemplated  his  dissolu- 
tion, not  only  wdth  composure  but  with  the  animating 
hopes  of  the  Christian.  Several  of  his  last  years  were 
doubtless  among  the  happiest  of  his  life." 

An  exti-act  from  a  letter  of  Mrs.  D.  W.  Loomis,  a 
grand-daughter,  written  in  answer  to  some  inquiries, 
and  not  with  an  expectation  of  its  being  published,  is 
perhaps  the  more  valuable. 

"  Ilardivick,  Vt.^  Jan.  15,  1848. 

My  dear  Cousin  : — 

*  *  *  Of  our  venerated  grandfather  Noah,  I 
retain  the  most  vivid  and  pleasant  recollections ; 
having  always  lived  in  the  same  house  with  him,  from 
my  birth  till  his  death,  when  I  was  tw^enty-one.  My 
earliest  recollections  of  him  are  happy, — as  a  being  of 
superior  goodness,  to  whom  I  was  always  accustomed 
to  flee  for  refuge  and  protection,  in  any  apprehended 
danger, — as  in  a  thunder-storm  ;  confidently  believing 
that  he  was  so  good,  nothing  could  hurt  me,  if  I  were 
near  him.     It  was  his  general  practice,  I  remember,  to 

*  By  J.  E.  Worcester,  L.  L.  D. 


72  MEMOIR    OF 

sit  an  hour,  from  about  seven  to  eight  o'clock  in  the 
long  evenings,  in  our  family ;  and  when  we  heard  his 
footstep  and  his  cane  in  the  passage,  my  father  always 
rose  from  his  great  arm-chair,  which  he  occupied  in 
the  corner,  and  reverently  set  it  out  for  his  father, — and 
we  were  all  expected  to  be  quiet  and  attentive.  His 
conversation  was  interesting  and  instructive,  abound- 
ing in  anecdotes  of  the  time  when  he  was  young, — of 
the  scenes  of  the  revolutionary  war, — of  individual 
characters,  and  of  general  history.  I  well  remember 
questions  which  my  eldest  brother  Jesse  proposed  to 
him  on  this  latter  subject, — such  as,  'whether  he  sup- 
posed Cyrus  was  a  good  man  ? '  &c.  I  thought  in 
those  days,  that  he  knew  almost  everything^  and  I  noiv 
think,  that  his  knowledge  of  general  history  must  have 
been  somewhat  extensive,  as  I  remember  he  was  a 
great  reader.  I  remember,  too,  many  discussions  on 
theological  subjects,  which  he  used  to  have  with  gen- 
tlemen, members  of  the  church  and  others,  who  were 
visiting  at  his  house,  in  which  I  thought  that  he,  of 
course,  was  always  right.  Above  all,  I  remember  him 
as  a  man  of  prayer.  While  he  lived,  our  family  were 
always  present,  in  my  father's  absence,  and  always 
remembered  in  his  family  devotions  ;  and  these  were 
never  intermitted^  either  in  health  or  in  sickness.  He 
had  two  seasons  of  severe  sickness,  from  which  he  was 
not  expected  to  recover,  before  his  final  one ;  and  in 
all  these,  while  he  was  able  to  be  lifted  from  his  bed, 
and  placed  in  his  great  arm-chair,  he  worshipped  like 
Jacob,  '  leaning  on  the  top  of  his  staff.'  When  unable 
to  do  this,  he  was  bolstered  up  in  bed,  and  supported 
on  pillows,  he  '  bowed  himself  on  the  bed's  head,'  and 
commended  himself,  his  family,  and  all  his  posterity, 
to  his  covenant-keeping  God.  This  was  the  morning 
before  his  death,  and  I  shall  never  forget  that  prayer. 
His  gi'and-cliildren,  who  were  present,  were  one  by 
one,  called  to  his  bedside,  and  exhorted  and  admon- 
ished. Ble^  I  remember,  he  exhorted,  not  too  confi- 
dently to  trust  to  a  hope  I  had  just  begun  to  indulge. 
'  If  your  hope  is  a  good  one,'  said  he,  '  you  will  find 
you  have  just  begun  a  warfare,  not  ended  it.'     I  think 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  73 

he  said,  '  I  shall  never  be  any  better,  but  I  feel  no  anx- 
iety for  the  result.  My  fathers'  God  is  the  God,  who 
has  led  nie  all  my  life  lonc^, — even  to  hoar  hairs  has 
he  carried  me,  and  I  am  ready  to  go  whenever  he  calls 
me.'  I  watched  with  him,  with  another  woman,  the 
following  night,  and  he  retained  full  possessibn  of  his 
powers,  till  the  last ;  and  departed  just  as  the  day 
besfan  to  dawn. 

His  habit  of  secret  prayer  was  very  affecting  to  me 
in  my  youth.  I  observed,  that  he  always  went  directly 
from  his  family  devotion  in  the  evening,  to  the  barn.  I 
long  wondered  why.  The  gate  by  which  he  entered, 
opened  with  a  creaking  sound,  and  I  constantly  heard 
it,  and  knew  it  was  grand-father  ;  and  often  marvelled 
why  he  went  there,  especially  in  the  cold  winter  nights. 
Uncle  J.,  it  seems,  noticed  and  wondered  too  ;  and 
at  last  to  gratify  his  curiosity,  secreted  himself  near 
his  place  of  retirement,  and  heard  himself  prayed  for^ 
with  an  earnestness  and  importunity  which  affected 
him  deeply  for  a  time.  This  he  told  himself,  with  a 
tearful  eye,  and  quivering  lip. 

As  the  natural  result  of  this  habit  of  constant  com- 
munion with  God,  his  spirit  grew  more  mellow  and  ripe 
for  heaven.  This  was  noticed  and  remarked  on  by  many. 
He  was  constitutionally  subject  to  nervous  depression, 
or  hypochondria,  w4iich  used  to  produce  irritation  and 
peevishness,  and  impatience  of  contradiction.  But  in 
his  latter  years,  he  was  always  cheerful  and  serene. 
Nothing  discomposed  him,  though  he  had  much  to  try 
him. 

I  remember  to  have  heard  brother  Joseph  once  speak 
to  him,  of  the  great  change  in  his  spirit,  in  bearing 
provocation.  *  This  never  grew  in  my  nature's  gar- 
den,' he  replied. 

Mr.  Gould,  one  of  his  brethren  in  the  church,  spoke 
of  this  change  after  his  death,  and  remarked,  that,  '  like 
the  sun,  he  grew  larger  at  his  setting.' "     *     *     *     * 

"With  good  reason,  has  the  question  been  asked,  "  Is 
there  any  fact  more  prominent  than  all  others  in  the 
7 


74  MEMOIR    OF 

biogi-aphies  of  learned  and  pious  men,  than  this — tliat 
they  were  blessed  with  intelligent  and  virtuous  parents, 
and  especially  mothers  ?  " 

"  My  father,"  says  ]\Irs.  L.,  "  I  knew,  always  felt  that 
he,  and  all  his  own  brothers  and  sisters,  were  quite  as 
much  indebted  to  their  7nother,  as  to  their  father,  for 
what  was  '  pure  and  lovely  and  of  good  report '  in  their 
characters.  He  took  great  pains  to  impress  on  his 
children  a  deep  sense  of  her  moral  worth."  IVIrs.  Sa- 
rah W.  Fox,  who  outlived  all  those  brothers,  "well 
remembered  her  pious  counsels,  although  but  eight 
years  old,  when  she  died  ;  and  that  as  she  grew  older, 
many  people  had  said  to  her,  that  no  woman  in  Hollis 
had  ever  been  so  deeply  and  generally  lamented." 

JVIr.  Abraham  Taylor,  her  father,  was  one  of  the 
first  four  settlers  of  Hollis.  He  was  a  man  of  great 
energy  and  public  spirit.  As  a  professing  Christian, 
he  permitted  none  to  be  in  advance  of  him,  in  en- 
deavors to  promote  every  good  word  and  work. — His 
efficiency  in  erecting  a  house  of  God,  and  in  securing 
the  regular  administration  of  the  ordinances  of  the 
Gospel,  gave  him  a  high  distinction  among  the  bene- 
factors of  the  community,  in  the  midst  of  which  he 
found  an  early  grave.  His  widow  long  survived  him, 
"  a  widow  indeed," — universally  beloved. 

With  "  a  good  understanding  and  a  beautiful  coun- 
tenance," Lydia,  their  favored  daughter,  united  the 
highest  grace  of  the  female  character, — the  loveliness 
of  devoted  love  to  Christ.  It  is  but  a  simple,  unvar- 
nished record  of  the  testimony  of  many  witnesses, 
when  it  is  said  of  her,  in  a  word,  that  she  was  every- 
thing to  her  husband  and  children,  which  could  be 
desired  in  a  wife  and  mother.  A  model  of  maternal 
fidelity,  "  her  childi'en  called  her  blessed ; "  and  through 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  75 

therrij  the  blessing  of  many  ready  to  perish,  has  been 
hers  also. 

Her  interest  for  her  children  was  one  of  the  most 
prominent  features  of  her  Christian  character.  She  was 
assiduous  in  the  use  of  all  her  means,  to  "bring  them 
up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord."  Much 
of  that  instruction,  which  is  now  given  in  primary 
schools,  was  imparted  to  them  by  herself,  amidst  her 
many  labors  and  cares.  And  on  the  Sabbath  after- 
noon, particularly,  it  was  her  practice  to  gather  all  her 
children  around  her,  that  she  might  teach  them  the 
Assembly's  Catechism,  and  give  them  other  lessons  of 
heavenly  counsel.* 

She  died  suddenly,  July  6,  1772.  From  a  casualty 
which  had  befallen  her,  she  had  a  strong  persuasion, 
that  her  anticipated  confinement  would  be,  as  it  proved, 
the  period  of  her  days. — Night  after  night,  she  rose 
from  her  pillow,  and  with  folded  arms  walked  the  floor 
of  her  chamber,  or  fell  upon  her  knees,  as  if  in  an  agony, 
which  could  find  no  relief,  but  in  "  the  effectual,  fervent 
prayer  of  the  righteous."  Those  who  knew  most  inti- 
mately the  burdened  longings  of  her  spirit,  were  often 
reminded  after  her  death,  of  a  prayer  which  she  so 
earnestly  repeated :  "  O  that  one  of  my  sons  may  be 
a  minister  of  the  Gospel  I  " 

It  is  not  supposed,  that  he  who  had  the  name  of 
Hannah's  child  of  answered  prayer,  had  been  selected  or 
designated,  as  her  special  offering  for  the  sacred  office. 

*  "  I  believe  that  if  Christianity  should  be  compelled  to  flee  from  the  man- 
sions of  the  great,  the  academies  of  the  philosophers,  the  hails  of  legislators, 
or  the  throng  of  busy  men,  we  should  find  her  last  and  purest  retreat  with 
woman  at  the  fireside  ;  her  last  aliar  would  be  the  female  heart  ;  her  last 
audience  would  be  the  children  gathered  around  the  knees  of  a  mother  ;  her 
last  sacrifice,  the  secret  prayer,  escaping  in  silence,  from  her  lips,  and  heard, 
perhaps,  only  at  tlie  throne  of  God." — J.  S.  Buckminster. 


76  MEMOIR    OF 

She  had  already  heard  the  voice  of  her  eldest  son,  then 
in  his  fourteenth  year,  leading  in  the  devotions  of  the 
family.  And  her  thoughts  would  very  naturally  have 
dwelt  upon  her  first-born,  who  gave  so  much  promise 
of  future  excellence.  But  her  prayer  was  heard,  far 
beyond  all  that  she  asked  or  thought.  And  the  little 
one,  who,  in  those  hours  when  eternity  was  so  near, 
would  be  peculiarly  an  object  of  her  maternal  solicitude, 
was  destined  by  her  covenant  God,  to  fulfill  the  largest 
desire  of  her  heart. 

It  is  very  questionable,  if  there  ever  was  a  family,  in 
which  the  salutary  influence  of  a  departed  mother  was 
more  pervading  and  permanent.  Those  who  were  of 
age  to  partake  of  her  instructions  and  be  eye-witnesses 
of  her  worth  ;  and  those  who  were  too  young  to  know 
of  her,  except  as  they  were  informed,  and  as  they  felt 
her  blessing,  as  "  the  dew  of  Hermon,"  or  "  the  small 
rain  upon  the  tender  herb,'^ — were  all  alike  accustomed, 
after  they  became  heads  of  families,  to  speak  of  her  to 
their  children,  as  if  that  mother's  loveliness  and  godli- 
ness were  embalmed  in  their  bosoms,  with  an  undying 
endearment  and  gratitude. 

Many  were  the  changes,  both  joyous  and  grievous, 
which  passed  over  her  husband,  before  he  finished  his 
pilgrimage.  It  was  his  delight  to  see  bis  children  and 
grand-children,  and  to  hear  of  their  welfare.  Four  of 
his  sons  and  one  son-in-law,  were  in  the  ministry.  He 
had  carefully  noted  in  the  leaves  of  his  Family  Bible, 
the  dates  of  their  ordination.  Before  he  died,  Aug. 
13,  1817,  having  nearly  completed  his  eighty-second 
year, — he  had  noted  also  the  natal  day  of  seventy* 
seven  grand-children.* 

*  Eighteen  grand  children  were  born  after  his  decease ;  and  of  the  nin©- 
ty-five  in  all,  ninety 'four  were  born  to  six  sons  and  two  daughters. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  77 

In  the  record  of  his  Family  Biblo,  he  says :  "  Sept. 
1798.  I  had  eighteen  chihlren  of  my  own  and  by 
marriage,  at  my  table  !"  As  they  were  then  known 
and  located,  they  were  the  Rev.  Noah  Worcester  and 
wife,  of  Thornton,  N.  H. ;  Mr.  Jesse  Worcester  and 
wife,  of  Hollis ;  Mr.  John  Fox  and  wife,  of  Hebron 
Mr.  Leonard  Worcester  and  wife,  of  Worcester,  Mass. 
Rev.  Thomas  Worcester  and  wife,  of  Salisbury,  N.  H. 
Rev.  Samuel  Worcester  and  wife,  of  Fitchburg,  Mass. 
Mr.  David  Smith  and  wife,  of  Hollis  ;  and  Ebenezer, 
Hannah,  David,  and  James  Worcester,  who  were  all 
in  their  minority.  It  was  a  joyous  meeting  and  a 
rare  spectacle.  There  were  several  attempts  at  such  a 
family  meeting,  during  the  nineteen  years  following; 
but  the  venerated  sire  never- again  had  the  happiness 
of  seeing  all  his  children  "  at  his  table,  at  one  time." 
Ten  years  later,  they  were  all  living,  but  one ;  and 
two  of  them  had  left  their  secular  calling  for  the  min- 
istry.    They  were  now,  as  a  family,  far  more  known. 

One  part  of  their  exercises  and  recreations,  at  the 
family  gatherings,  was  that  of  sacred  music.  They 
were  nearly  all  excellent  singers,  and  some  of  them 
were  players  on  instruments.  And  such  a  choir  as 
they  made,  it  would  be  worth  a  long  jom'ney  to  see 
and  to  hear.  A  favorite  hymn  was  that  beginning, — 
"  All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name ;" — ^which,  of 
course,  they  sung  in  the  good  old  tune  of  "  Corona- 
tion." While  promenading  the  floor  of  a  large  room, 
in  single  file,  those  brothers  sustaining  their  different 
parts,  and  accompanied  by  a  few  younger  voices  of 
the  surrounding  group,  would  swell  the  choral — 
"  Crown  him  Lord  of  all," — with  a  burst  of  melody, 
which  reverberates  still  in  thrilling  remembrance. 


78  MEMOIR    OF 

Only  one  of  the  children  of  the  grateful  sire  now 
remains  among  the  living;*  and  two  only  of  his  chil- 
dren by  marriage,!  who  had  the  pleasure  of  partici- 
pating in  those  animated  scenes. 

Of  his  descendants,  seventeen  have  regularly  grad- 
uated at  college  ;f  nearly  half  of  whom  entered  the 
ministry.  Six  others  have  been  in  the  sacred  office. 
Among  those  who  died  early,  were  some  of  the  most 
gifted  and  promising.  The  survivors  are  many.  They 
are  represented  in  all  the  professions,  and  in  the  walks 
of  general  literature,  as  well  as  in  agriculture,  the  use- 
ful arts,  and  mercantile  pursuits, — in  almost  every  part 
of  the  land,  from  Maine  to  Arkansas. 

Much  more  might  have  been  said  of  the  trials  of 
the  last  of  their  ancestors,  in  common, — Noah  Wor- 
cester, of  Hollis.  There  were  times  when  the  words 
of  Eliphaz,  if  addressed  to  him,  would  have  seemed 
not  to  be  "  fitly  spoken."  But  would  they  not  have 
been  most  true  ? — 

"  Behold,  happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correcteth ; 
therefore  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Al- 
mighty ;  for  he  maketh  sore,  and  bindeth  up :  he 
woundeth,  and  his  hands  make  whole.  *  *  In  war  he 
shall  redeem  thee  from  the  power  of  the  sword.  Thou 
shalt  be  hid  from  the  scourere  of  the  tons^uc :  neither 
shalt  thou  be  afraid  of  destruction  when  it  cometh. 
*  *  *  Thou  shalt  know  also  that  thy  seed  shall  be 
great,  [thy  posterity  numerous,]  and  thine  offspring  as 
the  grass  of  the  earth.  Thou  shalt  come  to  thy  grave 
in  a  full  age,  like  as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in  in  his 
season.  Lo  this,  we  have  searched  it,  so  it  is  ;  hear  it, 
and  know  thou  it  for  thy  good." 

*  Mrs.  Hannah  Ireland,  of  Dnnbarton,  N.  H. 

f  The  widows  of  ilie  Rev.  Thomas,  and  the  Rev.  Samuel  Worcester. 

J  In  the  Connecticut  family  of  "  Wooster,"  there  were  five  graduates  of 
Yale  College,  from  173S  to  1790.  But  the  first  name  of  "  Worcester,"  upon 
a  College  Catalogue,  is  that  of  Samuel,  at  Dartmouth,  1795. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  79 

Snch  was  the  New  Enc^larid  ancestry  of  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Worcester,  D.  D.  Such  were  the  fathers  and 
the  mothers,  whom,  from  his  infancy,  he  was  tanglit 
to  lionor,  and,  with  a  holy  zeal  by  the  grace  of  God, 
to  emulate.  One  and  the  same  character,  essentially, 
has  appeared,  from  the  first  to  the  last  in  the  five  gen- 
erations. In  different  degrees,  and  not  unmingled 
with  evil,  nor  unmarred  by  blemishes,  w^hich  were  per- 
sonally lamented,  there  may  be  ascribed  to  each  an 
enlightened  belief  in  God  and  his  Word ;  a  confiding 
recognition  of  his  Providence,  in  all  things  ;  a  fervent 
spirit  and  a  constant  habit  of  devotion  ;  an  undeviat- 
ing  reverence  for  the  Sabbath  and  every  institution  of 
the  Gospel ;  an  irreproachable  veracity  and  honesty ; 
an  erect  manliness  and  an  undaunted  moral  courage ; 
with  an  inflexible  adherence  to  convictions  of  duty, 
and  a  benevolent  forwardness  to  multiply  and  extend, 
in  every  appropriate  and  practicable  manner,  the 
"  glory  and  virtue "  "  of  the  Church  of  God,  which  he 
hath  purchased  with  his  own  blood." 

From  facts  that  have  been  brought  to  light,  as  inci- 
dental results  of  a  course  of  inquiry  relative  to  one 
line  only,  it  is  quite  certain,  that  other  lines  from  the 
same  forefather,  at  Salisbury,  would  furnish  examples 
of  similar  godliness,  in  successive  generations.  And 
extraordinary  as  at  the  present  day  it  may  seem,  it  is 
believed  to  be  strictly  true,  that,  when  the  subject  of 
the  Memoir  before  us,  was  in  the  tender  years  of  his 
childhood,  he  could  not,  in  the  whole  circle  of  his  own 
parental  relationship,  have  put  his  eye  upon  a  single 
individual,  who  had  come  to  mature  manhood,  with- 
out a  profession  of  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  aton- 
ing and  Almighty  Savior  of  the  world  ! 

But  in  all  this,  and  in  more  also,  which  is  yet  to  be 


ii 


80  MEMOIR    OF 

presented  in  a  nearer  view  of  the  influences  of  ances- 
try and  of  family,  there  were  others  of  his  generation — 
the  sixth  from  the  Pilgrims  of  Plymouth  and  the  Puri- 
tans of  New  England, — ^Yho  were  no  less  favored  by 
traditionary  and  living  examples  of  "the  excellency  of 
the  knowledge  of  Christ,"  and  of  "  the  mercy  of  the 
Lord  upon  them  that  fear  him."  There  are  other 
families,  and  the  number  cannot  be  small,  from  whose 
genealogies  a  corresponding  witness  could  be  obtain- 
ed, in  illustration  and  confirmation  of  the  promises  of 
God  "to  such  as  keep  his  covenant." 

Would  that  all  had  been  such !  And  would  that 
none  of  "the  children's  children"  of  such,  were  now 
giving  occasion  to  be  reminded,  and  to  be  admonished 
never  to  forget,  that,  from  the-  beneficent  ordinance  of 
Him,  to  whom  all  the  glory  belongs,  a  New  England 
was  originated  by  self-denial  for  Christ's  supremacy ; 
implicit  reliance  upon  the  witness  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, to  the  utter  exclusion  of  all  "philosophy  and 
vain  deceit;"  a  well-educated  and  truly  pious  minis- 
try, who  "  shunned  not  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of 
God ;"  sound  Calvinistic  doctrine,  fearlessly  addressed 
to  the  understanding  and  the  conscience ;  prayer  with- 
out ceasing,  like  that  at  Bethel,  at  Carmel,  and  in 
"the  upper  room"  at  Jerusalem;  family  religion,  with 
a  confiding,  grateful  self-application  of  the  Abrahamic 
covenant;  fraternal  or  congregational  independence 
of  the  churches ;  universal  instruction,  literary  and 
Christian;  and  the  remembrance  of  the  Lord's-day, 
according  to  the  Fourth  Commandment,  in  its  origi- 
nal import,  and  as  written  by  the  "finger  of  God,"  for 
an  everlasting  statute  and  memorial ! 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  81 


CHAPTER   11. 

Personal  appearance.  Dangerous  sickness  in  infancy.  Early  indications  of 
disposition  and  future  character.  General  view  of  his  intellectual  powers 
and  tendencies.  Family  education.  The  elder  brothers  and  sisters.  Fra- 
ternal and  other  reminiscences.  Teaches  school.  Revival  of  religion, 
17SG.  Hopeful  conversion.  Happy  impressions  from  the  triumphant 
death  of  a  sister. 

"  We  delight  to  find  in  the  early  lives  of  eminent  men  some  glimpses  of  the 
future,  some  indications  of  their  after  greatness.  *  *  We  see  every  day 
how  anxiously  men  look  for  individual  traits  in  the  childhood  of  great  men." 
—Neander. 

The  results  of  the  most  fortunate  training  depend 
greatly  upon  original  endowments.  There  are  quar- 
ries of  marble,  upon  which  the  sculptor  would  not  look, 
for  a  moment.  He  who  ordained  the  heavens  to  de- 
clare his  glory,  has  established  such  a  connection  of 
affinities  or  correspondencies  between  the  material  and 
the  immaterial  of  our  complex  organization,  that  our 
judgments  of  intellect  and  character  are  involuntarily 
affected,  by  the  countenance  and  the  frame  of  the  ex- 
ternal man.  And  is  there  not  an  important  influence 
upon  an  individual  himself,  from  advantages  or  disad- 
vantages of  person  ? 

If  a  youth  has  grown  faster  than  the  average  of  his 
coevals,  more  is  always  expected  of  him.  In  general, 
he  is  constrained  to  attempt  the  more.  And  whoever, 
at  his  entrance  into  the  arena  of  public  life,  has  an 
acknowledged  superiority  of  physical  structure,  can 
hardly  be  unconscious  of  a  reflex  operation  upon  his 
feelings  and  efforts,  his  motives  and  his  manners. 

In  all  which,  at  a  glance,  instinctively  inspires  re- 
spect, or  which,  upon  more  close  observation,  is  suited 


82  MEMOIR    OP 

to  conciliate  warm  esteem,  Dr.  Worcester,  from  his 
youth  upward,  was  eminently  favored.  It  was  his 
privilege  to  inherit  from  his  ancestry  "  a  bodily  pre- 
sence," which  was  "strong"  and  commanding, — never 
"  weak,"  even  when  "  compassed  with  infirmity  ;  "  and 
which,  having  contributed  its  full  measure  in  the  for- 
mation of  his  character,  was  afterwards  inseparably 
associated  in  the  minds  of  thousands,  with  that  power 
of  influence,  which  was  always  the  most  indisputable, 
when  most  resisted  or  assailed. 

In  features  and  expression  of  countenance.  Dr.  Wor- 
cester very  strikingly  resembled  his  honored  mother. 
At  the  age  of  twenty,  he  was  recognized  as  her  son,  by 
a  friend,  who  greatly  revered  her  memory ;  who  had 
never  before  seen  him,  unless  when  he  was  an  infant ; 
and  who,  at  the  time  and  in  the  place,  had  not  the 
smallest  reason  to  suspect  his  parentage,  except  the 
maternal  likeness. 

When  thus  agreeably  recognized,  he  had  reached 
the  full  stature  of  his  father,  which,  like  that  of  his 
grandfather,  was  six  feet.  He  was  then  somewhat 
slender,  but  firm,  erect,  and  athletic.  He  was  never 
corpulent ;  although  at  one  time  he  feared  that  he  might 
be.  When  in  his  full  manhood,  his  finely-turned  head, 
his  broad  chest,  stately  movement,  fair  complexion, 
benignant  smile,  and  thoughtful,  earnest  brow,  made 
him  an  object  of  marked  attention  to  strangers. 

He  had  been  settled  at  Fitchburg,  but  five  years, 
and  was  not  yet  thirty-two  years  old,  when  he  preached 
as  a  candidate,  at  the  Tabernacle,  in  Salem.  It  has 
often  been  pleasantly  told  of  him,  that,  while  walking 
with  a  friend,  at  a  regimental  parade,  his  military 
bearing  attracted  the  eyes  of  many,  and  he  was  really 
taken  for  "  one  of  the  old  continental  officers."     For 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  83 

about  six  years,  he  had  worn  a  tri-coriicrcd  hat,  with 
his  hair  in  a  lengthened  cue  behind;*  whieh,  with 
small-cK)ihes,  shoes  with  buekles,  and,  perhaps,  gai- 
ters, in  the  style  of  the  old  provincial  clergy,  made  the 
difference  of  at  least  a  score  of  years,  in  aid  of  the 
characteristic  dignity  of  his  person. 

The  miniature  accompanying  this  volume,  is  from 
an  admirable  portrait,  which  was  taken  of  him,  when 
he  was  about  forty-seven  years  old.f  It  is  not  easy  for 
most  persons,  to  conceive  of  the  original  as  so  young 
a  man.  Like  others  of  his  family,  he  had  a  maturity 
of  growth  which  is  uncommon,  and  what  may  be 
termed  a  precocity  of  venerableness.  If  he  had  died  at 
forty,  instead  of  fifty,  his  endeared  associate,  Mr.  Evarts, 
might  still  have  spoken  as  he  did,  of  his  "  revered  form." 

When  very  young,  however,  it  was  quite  improba- 
ble, that  he  would  ever  attain  to  the  stature  and  good- 
ly proportions  of  his  ancestors.  About  a  year  previous 
to  the  death  of  his  mother,  and  when  he  was  but  six 
or  eight  months  old,  he  was  so  dangerously  ill,  that,  for 
more  than  two  wxeks,  there  w^as  no  hope  for  his  life. 

The  father  was  early  conscious  of  a  very  strong 
affection  for  this  son.  He  has  been  heard  to  say,  that, 
if  he  had  any  more  of  interest  in  Samuel  than  in  either 
of  his  other  children,  which,  perhaps,  was  true,  there 
was  one  special  reason,  "  He  felt,  that  he  had  received 
him  a  second  time  from  the  hand  of  God." 

It  was  several  years  before  the  son  became  healthy. 

*  He  afterwards  wore  his  hair  in  rolls,  or  tied  up  in  papers,  neatly  pre- 
pared, until  ISII,  ■while  on  a  journey  to  attend  a  meeting  of  the  General 
Assembly,  at  Philadelphia.  His  appearance  without  the  "  long  hair  "  which 
he  had  worn,  in  opposition  to  Paul's  views  of  decorum,  occasioned  some 
stir  ;  as  some  of  the  people  thought  it  a  sign  that  he  had  becorne  a  Preshyte- 
rian. 

t  By  S.  F.  Morse,  Esq.,  who  is  now  so  celebrated  by  the  magnetic  tel- 
egraph. 


84  MEMOIR    OF 

He  needed  and  received  much  kind  attention  from  his 
new  mother.  But  her  cares  were  many,  and  there  was 
occasion  for  the  aid  of  his  eldest  sister,  who,  with  her 
mother's  name,  partook  largely  of  her  spirit.  Ever 
watchful  and  ready  to  promote  the  happiness  of  all  in 
the  family,  she  greatly  loved  the  brother,  who  so  re- 
minded her  of  the  departed,  and  whose  feebleness  and 
amiableness  enlisted  her  most  affectionate  sympathies. 
She  taught  him,  as  a  mother,  his  earliest  lessons ;  sung 
to  him  the  soothing  and  cheering  songs  of  the  "  pure 
in  heart;"  counselled  him,  and  prayed  for  him,  as  if 
her  joy  on  earth  could  never  be  consummated,  until 
she  had  evidence  that  he  was  truly  a  child  of  God. 

Her  interest  in  his  improvement  and  happiness  was 
of  incalculable  value,  when  his  disposition  was  so  lia- 
ble to  suffer  from  the  effects  of  bodily  infirmity.  To 
her  he  was  indebted,  as  he  often  testified,  for  his  first 
religious  impressions.  And  without  question,  the 
more  amiable  traits  of  his  earlier  and  riper  years,  were 
much  to  be  attributed  to  her  gentleness  and  watchful- 
ness ;  not  least  of  all  to  those  constant  melodies  of  her 
sweet  voice  and  spirit. 

To  this  estimable  sister,  he  became  exceedingly  at- 
tached. "  When  I  was  a  little  boy,"  he  is  remembered  to 
have  said, — "  I  have  laid  for  hours,  and  cried,  when  I 
heard  her  groan  in  the  night,  with  a  severe  tooth-ache; 
and  I  have  covered  up  my  head  with  the  bed-clothes, 
for  I  knew  she  would  feel  so  much  worse,  if  she  were 
to  hear  me." 

Such  was  the  amiableness  of  his  childhood,  and  the 
sympathetic  tenderness  of  his  sensibility.  He  made 
friends  of  all,  by  the  mildness  of  his  temper,  his 
thoughtful  activity,  and  his  varied  exertions  to  excel. 
When  at  play  on  the  floor,  he  exhibited  the  germ  of 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  85 

tliosc  Imbits  of  deliberation,  and  forecast,  of  i)atience 
ill  application,  and  of  fortitude  under  diseourai^etncnts, 
which  so  broadly  marked  the  character  of  his  public 
life.  "  If  he  was  amusing  himself  with  toys,"  it  has 
been  related,  "  or  anything  else  which  commonly  occu- 
pies the  attention  of  children,  and  could  not  imme- 
diately suit  them  to  his  taste,  he  would  not  become 
passionate,  and  throw  them  away,  as  most  children 
do  ;  but  sit  down,  and  patiently  work  upon  them,  until 
he  made  them  please  his  mind." 

From  a  child  he  was  fond  of  a  book  ;  as  much,  per- 
haps, as  any  of  the  family.  He  had  a  superior  mem- 
ory, and  acquired  knowledge  with  ease.  His  apprehen- 
sions were  quick,  but  considerate  ;  and  the  bias  of  his 
mind  that  of  deep  reflection  and  logical  argument. 
As  he  grew  in  years,  his  range  of  reading  was  not  ex- 
tended or  miscellaneous  enough,  to  expose  him  to  any 
great  temptations  of  rapidity  and  superficialness.  In 
original  imaginative  talent,  he  was  by  no  means  want- 
ing ;  and  his  poetic  vein  enabled  him,  during  his  aca- 
demic and  collegiate  studies,  to  produce  very  tolerable 
lyrics,  and  some  quite  successful  dramatic  imitations. 

Naturally,  he  was  not  at  all  deficient  in  animal 
spirits,  nor  disinclined  to  merriment.  He  laughed 
heartily  at  the  ludicrous.  And  with  a  dry  humor  and 
a  ready  wit,  he  was  not  slow,  in  his  boyhood,  nor  at 
times  in  his  manhood,  to  make  others  laugh  no  less 
heartily.  If  he  could  play  hard,  he  could  labor  and 
study  the  harder. — And  no  better  proof  could  be  given 
of  his  kindliness  of  disposition,  than  his  generous  treat- 
ment of  his  associates,  and  his  cautious  indulgence  of 
a  power  of  satire  and  sarcasm,  which  he  was  seen  to 
possess,  at  a  very  early  period  of  his  intellectual  devel- 
opment. 

8 


86  MEMOIR    OP 

He  had  a  delicate  ear  for  music,  vocal  and  instru- 
mental. It  was  a  delight  to  him  to  sing,  and  he  early 
became  a  distinguished  proficient  in  the  art.  His 
brother  Noah  had  learned  to  play  the  fife,  so  that  he 
was  "fife-major"  at  Bennington.  He  himself  learned 
also,  and  when  but  a  youth  performed  to  great  accep- 
tance, in  the  military  companies  of  his  native  town. 
There  are  those  living  who  saw  him  frequently,  when 
he  appeared,  as  a  musician  of  the  citizen  soldiery. 
After  he  had  been  settled  in  Salem,  some  years,  a  fife 
was  once  put  into  his  hands,  for  a  trial  of  his  powers. 
It  was,  perhaps,  while  he  was  teaching  a  singing- 
school.  He  could  still  make  good  music,  but  pleasant- 
ly apologized  for  doing  no  better,  by  saying  that  his 
"  fingers  were  not  as  nimble  as  formerly." 

Thomas,  the  next  older  to  Samuel,  always  claimed 
the  place  of  seniority.  But  they  grew  up  side  by  side, 
each  profiting  the  other,  by  their  congenialities  and 
their  diversities.  Thomas  partook  largely  of  the  fluency 
and  fire  of  his  paternal  grand-father ;  was  nervously 
predisposed,  and  a  little  too  impatient  in  difficulties  ; 
was  prompt,  industrious,  and  successful  as  a  self- 
taught  scholar  ;  and  was  very  graceful  in  manner,  affa- 
ble, and  companionable.  He  was  naturally  eloquent, 
and  in  some  respects  surpassed  each  of  his  brothers, 
as  a  popular  speaker,  while  less  profound  or  meta- 
physical than  cither  of  them.  His  voice  was  like  a 
clarion. 

Leonard  lived  with  a  maternal  uncle,  four  years, 
after  his  mother's  death  ;  and  in  his  eighteenth  year 
became  an  apprentice  of  Isaiah  Thomas^  at  Worces- 
ter. Though  perhaps  not  so  active  or  mature  in  his 
boyhood,  as  some  of  the  others,  he  had  a  gifted  mind, 
which,  during  his  apprenticeship,  both  concealed  itself 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  87 

and  revealed  itself,  after  the  example  of  Franklin,  in 
the  types  of  the  printing  ollice.  He  was  a  most  duti- 
ful son,  a  brother  beloved,  and  his  example  in  youth 
was  such,  as  nourished  no  thorns  for  the  pillow  of  his 
hoary  head. 

Noah  and  Jesse,  the  two  eldest  of  the  five  brothers, 
were  quick  to  learn,  forward,  emulous,  and  irreproach- 
able. In  the  father's  and  grand-father's  absence,  Noah 
led  in  family  prayer,  when  but  thirteen  years  old. — 
The  other  sons  were  called  upon  in  like  manner,  in 
their  youth,  to  maintain  the  family  religion.  They 
were  all  taught  to  feel,  that  as  a  matter  of  course,  they 
must  fear  God,  and  devoutly  honor  his  Name.  And 
long  before  they  had  become  members  of  any  church, 
by  a  profession  of  faith,  and  before  they  indulged  any 
hope  of  themselves  as  inwardly  renewed  by  the  grace 
of  God,  they  did  not  decline,  when  requested  to  lead 
the  family  in  prayer,  and  to  give  thanks  "  in  the  break- 
ing "  of  their  "  daily  bread."  Such  was  the  custom  in 
families,  which  perpetuated  the  covenant  godliness  of 
the  fathers  of  New  England. 

In  a  very  reserved  and  brief  auto-biographical  sketch 
of  his  life,  for  the  private  eye  of  his  children  and  grand- 
children, Leonard  remarks  : — 

"  Soon  after  my  grand-father's  death,  when  I  w^as  in 
my  seventeenth  year,  my  father,  having  occasion  to  be 
from  home  some  days,  and  being  unwilling  that  fam- 
ily worship  should  be  intermitted,  enjoined  it  upon  me, 
as  the  oldest  male  member  of  the  family  at  home,  to 
lead  in  family  worship,  during  his  absence ;  to  which 
I  consented,  and  continued  to  do  so,  whenever  he  was 
absent,  so  long  as  I  remained  in  the  family.  It  was, 
however,  at  that  time,  at  least  it  was  at  Hollis,  no  un- 
common thing  for  family  worship,  to  be  regularly 
maintained  by  those,  who  did  not  make  a  public  pro- 
fession of  religion." 


88  MEMOIR    OF 

A  similar  testimony  might  have  been  given  by- 
Thomas  and  Samuel ;  each  having  been  called  in  like 
manner  to  the  same  service. 

Noah  said  of  himself,  when  speaking  of  parents  and 
grand-parents,  in  respect  to  religious  instruction : — 
"  All  united  to  make  early  and  deep  impression  on  my 
mind  in  favor  of  religion,  and  against  vice  ;  and  in 
those  efforts  they  were  so  far  successful,  that  my  reli- 
gious impressions  were  of  the  earliest  date  of  anything 
I  can  remember,  excepting  a  burn  which  I  received, 
when  I  was  about  two  years  old."  So  conscientious 
was  he,  that  he  was  exceedingly  distressed,  at  five 
years  old,  in  feeling  "  that  he  had  been  guilty  of  false-, 
hood,  In  asserting  as  a  fact  what  had  been  told  him, 
without  his  knowing  it  to  be  true  ; "  and  experienced 
an  indescribable  "  relief  in  hearing  the  difference  be- 
tween an  unintentional  departure  from  truth,  and  a 
design  to  deceive,  explained  to  him."*  The  same 
conscientiousness  was  characteristic  of  those  younger. 

The  education  of  the  brothers,  as  of  the  sisters,  was 
almost  wholly  at  their  own  home.  In  the  winter  of 
1776-7,  before  his  second  enlistment  in  the  army,  Noah 
boarded  in  Ihe  family  of  his  uncle  Francis,  at  Ply- 
mouth, N.  H.,  and  tried  the  experiment  of  a  school- 
teacher. 

"  In  course  of  that  winter,"  he  said,  "  I  probably  ac- 
quired more  useful  knowledge,  than  I  had  ever  before 
done  in  any  two  winters  by  going  to  school.     *     *     * 

*  He  did  not  make  a  profession  of  religion,  until  twenty-four  years  of  age. 
He  united  with  the  Church  in  Thornton,  in  17b2, — and  in  17&6,  was  ordained 
the  pastor  of  the  Church. 

Jesse  did  not  make  a  profession,  until  twenty  years  afterwards.  In  a  revi- 
val in  Hollis,  in  1S02,  he  joined  the  Church.  His  wife  al^o  joined  at  the 
8ame  lime.  On  the  same  day,  they  presented  twelve  children,  six  sons  and 
8ix  daughters, — for  baptism  ! 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  89 

About  this  time  I  procured  a  dictionary,  which  was 
the  first  I  ever  had  the  privilege  of  perusing,  though  I 
was  then  in  my  eighteenth  year." 

"  I  have  no  recollection,"  said  Jesse,  "  of  having  been 
taught  to  read  by  any  female,  unless  it  was  my  mother 
or  grand-mother.  I  never  heard  a  lesson  given  in  Eng- 
lish Grammar  or  geography,  when  I  came  into  a  mas- 
ter's school;  and  in  respect  to  books,  if  we  except  the 
Biblc^ — the  spelling-book,  the  psalter,  and  the  primer 
were  more  than  scholars  generally  possessed."  * 

Limited  as  were  their  means  of  literary  culture,  they 
made  progress  which  cannot  but  be  considered  remark- 
able, as  it  was  laudable.  To  be  manly  beyond  what  was 
expected  of  their  age  ;  to  attempt  much,  and  not  think 
it  marvellous  to  do  more ;  to  increase  constantly  in 
knowledge,  and  make  the  most  of  their  opportunities, 
was  the  progressive  and  the  unquenchable  spirit  of  their 
youth.  It  would  have  required  a  long  day  for  any 
teacher  of  arithmetic,  to  propose  a  question,  which  they 
could  not  have  answered,  as  they  mused  in  concert 
upon  their  pillow,  by  night.  With  Noah's  tongue  for 
a  pencil,  and  Jesse's  memory  for  the  slate,  a  most  in- 
tricate problem  was  thus  solved,  to  the  astonishment 
of  a  teacher,  who  had  found  it  too  hard  for  himself. 

The  pen  was  in  daily  use  before  them.  The  father 
had  much  writing  to  do,  in  his  business  as  a  magis- 
trate ;  and  the  grandfather,  when  not  abroad  in  his 
tours  of  preaching,  was  fond  of  his  study-table.  Very 
early,  as  a  natural  consequence,  the  younger  mem- 
bers  of  the  family,  both  male  and  female,  exercised 

*  The  "  primer  "  was  the  old  New  England  primer,  containing  the  lines 
of  John  Rogers,  with  sundry  wholesome  counsels,  as  the  warning  to  youth  ; 
in  addition  to  the  Westminster  Catechism,  in  the  memory  and  belief  of  all 
of  which,  these  sons  of  Noah  Worcester  were  carefully  educated. 

8* 


90  MEMOIR    OP 

their  powers  of  imitation,  in  copying  and  composing. 
They  were  all  ivr iters. 

It  was  their  advantage,  also,  to  live  remote  from 
those  scenes  of  gaiety  and  dissipation,  which  have 
proved  so  fatal  to  a  multitude  of  youth.  They  were 
but  little  exposed  to  the  "evil  co^nmunications," 
which  so  often  in  the  city  "corrupt  good  manners." 
Free  from  every  stain  of  vice,  and  always  affected  by 
a  deep  sense  of  accountableness,  they  were  ever  ready 
to  receive  instruction,  and  to  search  for  knowledge,  as 
for  hid  treasure. 

When  their  grandfather  Francis  was  at  home,  he 
had  always  something  to  excite  the  reflective  and 
emotional  powders  of  those  youth,  or  lads,  for  whom 
he  had  predicted  what  so  truly  was  fulfilled.  Fresh 
and  stirring  intelligence  from  divers  sources,  in  that 
eventful  age  of  the  Revolution  ;  new  ideas  and  old, 
theological,  historical,  political — mingled  and  sifted, 
approved  or  rejected, — ^would  not  often  allow  the 
members  of  that  family  circle,  to  pass  an  hour  of  list- 
less inactivity.  On  some  evening,  by  the  glaring  light, 
perhaps,  of  a  pine-knot  fire,  might  have  been  witnessed 
a  scene  for  a  painter.  There,  for  example,  was  ma- 
jestic, portly,  dignified,  and  somewhat  self-complacent 
old  age,  filling  the  great  arm-chair,  with  an  acknowl- 
edged title  to  arbitrate ;  middle  age,  erect,  intelligent, 
with  "a  large  roundabout  sense,"  eager  enough,  if  not 
more,  to  gi-apple  with  the  logic  or  metaphysics  of  any 
subject,  and  disposed  to  demand  a  reason  for  every- 
thing, not  intuitively  true  ;  robust  youth,  just  from  the 
army,  in  full  buoyancy  of  spirits,  reverencing  old-age, 
and  honoring  middle-age,  but  not  backward  to  ask 
questions,  wdiich  might  not  so  easily  be  answered ; 
and  bright-faced   childhood,   with   blue   gazing   eye, 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  91 

hearkening  car,  and  pereliance  ilic  lips  not  shut,  nor 
always  silent; — to  say  notliing  of  other  members  and 
characteristics  of  a  group,  in  the  midst  of  which  edu- 
cation  was  in  progress,  that  was  ultimately  to  move 
the  thoughts,  and  artect  the  destinies  of  many  thou- 
sands, in  both  hemispheres. 

Such,  in  brief,  was  the  general  order  of  that  family, 
that  those  men  who  became  distinguished  far  beyond 
the  most  of  their  contemporaries, — thousands  of  w^hom 
had  incomparably  greater  means  of  mental  cultiva- 
tion,— ^^vere  constantly  reminded,  that  it  is  the  duty  of 
every  one,  to  become  as  conspicuous  for  influence  and 
usefulness,  as  his  talents  and  privileges  will  allow. 
And  while  they  were  taught  to  labor  with  the  hands, 
most  diligently  and  vigorously,  it  never  entered  their 
hearts  to  conceive,  that  it  was  the  chief  concern  of 
upright,  honest  farmers  and  cordwainers,  to  plant 
Indian  corn  in  spring,  and  harvest  it  in  autumn  ; — to 
cut  hay  in  summer,  and  fell  trees  in  winter; — and 
withal  to  make  good  shoes  in  a  rainy  day,  or  in  the 
"time  of  snow." — As  husbandmen,  they  w^ere  not  of 
those  "  whose  talk  is  wholly  about  cattle ;"  but  of  such 
as  had  "  understanding  of  the  times." 

A  legitimate  eftect  of  their  discipline  would  be,  to 
make  them  clear  thinkers,  and  able  reasoners.  Such 
they  were  indisputably.  What  they  knew,  they  knew 
for  themselves,  and  for  others.  By  the  tongue,  and 
with  the  pen,  they  could  communicate  their  ideas, 
with  an  intelligibleness,  which  was  transparent,  and  a 
point  and  energy,  which  it  was  difficult  to  withstand. 
With  little  or  no  other  instruction  than  that  of  their 
home,  except  during  the  few  weeks  in  the  winter  sea- 
son, and  with  scarcely  any  school-book  in  addition  to 
the  Bible, — they  were  able,  before  the  end  of  their 


92  MEMOIR    OF 

minority,  to  write  essays  or  addresses,  which,  for  good 
sense,  force  of  reasoning,  and  propriety  of  language, 
chiefly  drawn  from  the  Saxon  etymologies, — would 
not  materially  suffer  by  comparison,  with  the  more 
elegant  compositions  of  the  best  scholars  at  our  col- 
leges. 

So  far  were  they  all  self-made  men,  that,  like  others 
of  the  same  order,  who  have  been  celebrated,  they 
were  not  unconscious  of  their  abilities.  But  accus- 
tomed as  they  were  to  a  high  self-respect,  their  exem- 
plary submission  to  parental  authority,  and  deference 
to  the  aged,  rendered  them  most  careful  of  the  pro- 
prieties of  good  manners,  and  most  courteous  in  all 
their  deportment.  They  were  all  keenly  sensitive, 
when  they  encountered  contradiction,  or  any  kind  of 
opposition.  Still,  it  is  not  often,  that  with  as  much 
constitutional  excitability,  there  is  seen  as  much  self- 
control,  or  self-mastery;  nor  as  much  of  true  polite- 
ness, in  the  sense  of  Dr.  Witherspoon, — ^'•real  kindness 
kindly  expressed.''^ 

In  no  one  of  them  was  the  ascendency  over  their 
passions  and  feelings  more  complete,  than  in  the 
youngest.  If  he  was  ever  angry,  he  was  in  general  so 
angry,  as  not  to  speak  a  word.  When  his  feelings 
were  wounded,  a  flush  would  instantaneously  pass 
over  his  face  ;  and  he  would  wisely  consider  whether 
or  not  to  break  silence.  From  his  childhood  onward 
to  the  end  of  his  days,  his  quick  perception  of  a  very 
small  degree  of  offence  against  good  taste,  or  good 
manners,  would  display  itself  in  a  delicate  scarlet 
tinge  of  countenance  ;  but  which  had  not  heat  enough, 
in  most  cases,  to  reveal  its  presence  to  himself. 

The  tendencies  of  such  a  diseii)line,  as  has  been  de- 
scribed, were  not   in  every  respect  auspicious  or  safe. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


93 


From  the  liubit  of  scrutinizin<T  all  points,  and  of  rea- 
soning u})on  all  questions,  it  should  not  be  accounted 
marvellous,  if,  before  the  end,  some  should  uncon- 
sciously "lean  to  their  own  understanding."  Thus 
the  eldest  of  them,  who  in  subsequent  life  arrested  so 
much  attention  by  his  speculations  uj)on  the  myste- 
ries of  the  Godhead,  ^^Tote  of  himself,  that,  "  from  his 
childhood  he  had  been  much  in  the  habit  of  reflection 
and  inquiry."  "Probably  I  was  too  much  inclined," 
he  adds,  "  to  argument  and  disputation,  on  various 
subjects.  I  think  I  was  not  more  than  twelve  years 
old,  wiien  this  propensity  was  mentioned  to  me  as 
one  of  my  faults.  Though  the  propensity  was,  doubt- 
less, in  some  instances  imprudently  indulged,  it  was 
probably  a  means  of  my  advancement  in  knowledge." 
There  are  those  who  have  thought,  that,  if  his  mind 
had  been  subjected  to  a  more  enlarged  discipline,  be- 
fore he  entered  the  ministry,  he  would  probably  have 
continued  as  steadfast  in  his  attachment  to  the  mode 
of  his  early  faith,  as  did  the  subject  of  this  memoir. 

These  free  references  have  been  made  to  the  older 
brothers  of  Dr.  Worcester,  because,  previous  to  the 
age  of  twenty,  their  advantages  and  disadvantages  of 
training  were  substantially  the  same.  He  was  very 
much  like  them  in  native  endow^ments,  constitutional 
and  moral  dispositions.  Inferior  to  neither  of  them, 
in  native  powers,  he  was  greatly  profited  by  their  en- 
com*aging  example.  And  when  at  last  he  resolved, 
that  he  would,  if  possible,  have  the  advantages  of  a 
course  of  collegiate  study,  he  found  the  brothers  all 
ready  to  aid  him,  so  far  as  their  limited  means  would 
allow. 

No  one  of  them  could  have  written  his  early  biog- 
raphy so  well  as  Thomas,  who  survived  him  ten  years. 


94  MEMOIR    OF 

It  was  afterwards  thought  desirable  to  obtain  in  a 
definite  and  permanent  form,  some  of  the  personal 
recollections,  which  the  remaining  brothers  might 
have,  concerning  the  childhood  and  youth  of  him,  who 
was  the  first  to  be  gathered  to  his  fathers, — and  of 
whom  some  memorial  might  be  attempted  at  a  future 
day.     These  were  providentially  secured. 

"  Hollis,  April  20,  1832. 
My  dear  Kinsman, — 

*  *  *  *  I  well  remember  the  day  of  his  birth  :  and 
that  when  about  six  or  eight  months  old,  he  had  a 
long  and  very  dangerous  sickness,  so  that  for  a  num- 
ber of  weeks  there  appeared  very  little  prospect  of  his 
recovery.  One  Sabbath  his  eyes  were  closed  for  dead. 
For  a  long  time,  perhaps  two  or  three  years,  he  con- 
tinued feeble.  After  this  he  became  healthy,  and  as 
robust  generally  as  any  one  of  the  family ;  until  after 
he  entered  college,  and  injured  his  health  by  too  close 
application  to  study. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
brother  Noah,  being  in  his  seventeenth  year,  enlisted, 
and  was  gone  a  soldier  until  February.  I  was  four- 
teen, the  30th  of  April,  1775.  Brother  Thomas  was 
in  his  seventh,  and  brother  Samuel  in  his  fifth  year. 
About  the  first  of  December,  my  father  went  to  Cam- 
bridge, commandeT  of  a  company,  for  two  months. 
At  the  time,  my  mother  had  her  second  William,  who 
was  about  two  months  old.  He  was  soon  taken  sick, 
and  died  Jan.  17.  The  maid  who.  lived  in  the  family, 
had  the  fever ;  and  my  grandfather,  who  was  very 
much  afflicted  with  the  asthma  and  other  complaints, 
so  that  we  were  obliged  to  keep  three  fires  constantly 
by  day,  and  much  of  the  time  two  by  night.  My 
brother  Leonard  was  at  this  time  living  from  home, 
at  his  uncle  Taylor's,  in  Ashby.  We  were  so  desti- 
tute of  fuel,  that  I  well  remember  to  have  had  the 
oxen  yoked,  to  get  up  some  to  last  over  night,  when 
the   company  marched  from  the  door. — Thus  I  was 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  95 

left  with  my  two  brothers,  the  one  of  seven,  and  the 
other  of  five  years  old.  I  gave  for  their  part  to  clean 
the  barn,  and  to  cut  and  carry  in  the  small  wood  for 
the  fires ;  and  they  performed  their  part  wonderfnlly. 

The  next  July,  [1770,]  I  went  a  soldier  to  Ticondcr- 
oga,  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  became  so  interc.'sted 
and  engaged  in  the  cause  of  my  country,  that  iriy 
memory  serves  me  but  poorly  respecting  what  I  now 
wish  to  call  to  mind,  for  several  years,  during  which  I 
was  a  soldier  a  number  of  times. 

In  the  autumn  of  1782,  I  returned  to  Hollis  from 
Thornton,  where  I  had  been  laboring'.  Your  father 
came  in  company  with  me.  I  travelled  from  Plymouth 
to  Hollis,  eighty  miles,  in  two  days.  Your  father  came 
on  six  miles,  the  afternoon  before.  I  set  out  the  next 
morning.  In  perhaps  twenty-five  miles,  I  overtook 
him,  and  proceeded  on  to  Concord ;  so  that  he  travel- 
led about  thirty-six  miles  that  day !  The  next  day, 
he  became  some  lame.  Left  him  in  Bedford,  and  sent 
a  lad  and  horse,  the  next  morning,  to  meet  him.  This 
was  before  he  was  twelve  years  old. 

Perhaps  his  natural  disposition  and  temper  when 
young,  was  more  mild  and  amiable  than  that  of  any 
other  of  the  family.  He  was  also  very  active,  dili- 
gent, and  laborious.  My  father  pretty  early  made  up 
his  mind,  to  settle  him  at  home;  and  perhaps  he  sel- 
dom if  ever  met  with  a  greater  disappointment,  than 
when  he  found  he  must  give  up  that  idea. 

He  commenced  school-keeping,  at  seventeen.  He 
taught  the  first  winter,  at  Lyndeboro' ;  and  gave  good 
satisfaction  ;  and  never  failed  of  so  doing  in  a  school 
ever  after,  to  my  knowledge. — He  was,  I  think,  in  his 
twenty-first  year,  when  he  began  to  prepare  for  col- 
lege. A  part  of  the  time,  he  was  at  New  Ipswich, 
and  had  Mr.  Hubbard,  [afterwards  Prof.  Hubbard,  of 
Dartmouth  College,]  for  his  instructor.  I  believe  also 
that  a  part  of  the  time,  he  was  with  Dr.  Wood,  of 
Boscawen. 

He  must  have  been  very  industrious  and  frugal,  to 
have  succeeded  as  well  as  he  did,  with  the  means  he 
had.     My  father's  circumstances  were   so  straitened, 


96  MEMOIR    OF 

that  the  sum  of  $88  80,*  was  all  that  he  possessed  to 
do  for  each  of  his  children ;  and  if  in  any  case  he 
helped  one  more,  the  one  so  favored  was  to  refund 
the  same.  As  executor  of  my  father's  will,  a  note 
came  into  my  hands,  signed  by  Samuel  Worcester,  on 
which  were  many  endorsements,  and  some  balance 
still  due.  From  all  circumstances  which  have  come 
to  my  knowledge,  I  believe  it  was  my  father's  aim, 
to  be  as  particular  with  him,  as  with  his  other  chil- 
dren. 

After  my  return  to  Hollis,  in  1795,  having  been  ab- 
sent ten  years,  I  was  conversing  with  a  man,  who 
had  worked  in  my  father's  shop,  and  labored  on  the 
farm  abundantly  with  my  younger  brothers.  Refer- 
ring to  their  dispositions,  he  spoke  in  high  terms  of 
Samuel.  '  He  seldom  or  never  saw  him  angry,  or  in 
a  fret,  let  what  would  happen.  If  they  ever  got  into 
a  difficulty  with  a  team,  or  in  any  other  way,  he  was 
sure  to  be  mild  and  good  natured,  and  have  some 
humorous  turn,  appearing  always  disposed  to  make 
the  best  of  it.'  And  from  my  own  observation,  I  be- 
lieve this  a  fair  representation  of  his  character  in  his 
youthful  days.  He  was  very  pleasant,  and  somewhat 
humorous,  and  well  calculated  to  gain  the  good  will 
of  his  associates.  While  he  followed  laboring  on  the 
farm,  very  few  of  his  years  were   able  to   do  more. 


*  *  *  * 


Yours,  with  much  esteem, 

Jesse  Worcester." 

The  foregoing  was  enclosed  in  a  letter  to  the  eldest 
brother. 

"  Brighton,  April  25,  1832. 


My  dear  Nephew, —  . 

*  *  *  *  I  well  recollect  the  dangerous  sickness  of 
your  father,  in  his  infancy,  which  my  brother  Jesse  has 
mentioned.  Among  other  maladies,  he  had  alarming 
fits ;  to  which  I  recollect  the  doctor  applied  the  name 


*  X20. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  97 

of  "black  fits."  I  think  it  was  not  less  than  twenty 
days,  tliat  his  death  was  daily  expected.  His  recovery 
seemed  to  astonish  those,  wlio  had  witn(;ssed  his  con- 
dition, like  a  species  of  resurrection  from  the  dead. 

In  supposing  that  yovir  father  had  a  better  natural 
temper  than  any  of  the  other  children,  I  think  Jesse  is 
correct.  AH  the  Worcesters,  however,  that  I  have 
known,  possessed  passions  which  were  easily  excited. 
It  was  so  with  your  father;  but  less  so  than  with  many 
others  ;  or  the  difterence  w^as  occasioned  by  his  ac- 
quiring early  better  self-government,  than  others  pos- 
sessed. 

Brother  J.  has  mentioned,  that  your  father  lived  for 
a  time  with  me,  at  Thornton,  and  returned  to  HoUis, 
prior  to  the  close  of  his  twelfth  year.  I  think  it  was 
about  fifteen  months,  that  he  resided  in  my  family.  I 
had  more  opportunity  to  know  him  then,  than  in 
any  other  year  of  his  life.  He  was  then  amiable  and 
intelligent ;  and  though  he  was  fond  of  amusement,  he 
was  good  to  labor,  and  apt  for  learning.  I  then  taught 
a  school  in  the  winter  season.  He  attended  the  school, 
and  was  one  of  my  best  scholars,  and  probably  the 
very  best  of  his  age. 

After  I  was  settled  in  the  ministry,  my  brothers 
Thomas  and  Samuel  came  together  to  Thornton,  to 
visit  me.  I  think  it  was  the  winter,  after  Samuel 
was  seventeen  years  of  age.  There  was  at  that  time 
unusual  attention  to  religion  in  Thornton.  It  had 
recently  been  so  at  Hollis.  The  brothers  appeared 
to  be  prepared  to  rejoice  in  what  was  going  on  in 
Thornton.  If  I  mistake  not,  Thomas  had  then  recent- 
ly joined  the  Church  in  Hollis.  Samuel  was  not  with- 
out hope,  that  he  had  experienced  something  of  spiri- 
tual life  ;  but  his  fears  were  so  great,  that  he  neglected 
to  make  a  public  profession  of  religion,  and  it  was 
protracted  to  the  time  of  his  joining  the  Church  at 
Salisbury. 

Unless    your   father   has  left   some  information  in 
writing,  I  doubt  whether  any  one  can  inform  you  re- 
specting his   particular  views   or  hopes,  in  seeking  a 
college  education.     At  that  period  of  his  life,  I  thought 
9 


98  MEMOIR    OF 

him  to  be  of  a  reserved  turn,  as  to  communicating  to 
others  his  feelings,  his  hopes,  his  purposes,  or  his  pros- 
pects. My  father,  and  brother  Jesse,  thought  of  him 
as  I  did,  in  this  particular. 

In  his  junior  year  at  college,  he  visited  me,  and  I 
think  he  then  gave  me  to  understand,  that  he  had  not 
resolved  on  what  profession  he  should  adopt ;  and  that 
he  thought  it  best,  in  general,  for  students  not  to  de- 
cide that  question,  until  they  have  nearly  completed 
their  studies.  *  *  *  *         Your  affectionate  Uncle, 

N.  Worcester." 

To  these  letters  may  be  added  some  reminiscences 

of    the    Rev.  Stephen  Farley,  chiefly  communicated 

under  date, 

«  Hampton  Falls,  Feb.  5,  1839. 
Dear  Sir, — 

*  *  *  *  Shall  I  give  you  a  sketch  of  what  was  called 
up  from  the  misty  deep  of  reminiscence  ? — There  was 
before  me  the  old,  unpainted,  unclapboarded  school- 
house,  in  Hollis,  which  disappeared  forty-five  years 
ago,  and  gave  place  to  the  new  one,  now  in  its  turn 
grown  old.  In  its  interior,  on  the  right,  were  four 
benches  for  the  young  misses  ;  on  the  left,  five,  for 
young  masters  ;  the  fifth,  projecting  forward,  and  much 
broader  than  the  others,  occupied  by  the  large  masters. 
There  sat  your  father,  clad  in  gray  home-made  broad- 
cloth,— generally  using  his  pen.  A  number  of  Bibles 
were  lying  on  the  bench,  which  were  nearly  the  only 
books  then  used  in  school,  both  for  reading  and  spell- 
ins:.  The  first  class  read  in  the  historical  books  of  the 
Old  Testament,  and  the  other  in  the  New.  There 
were  but  two  classes  in  the  school.  The  words  put 
out  to  be  spelled,  were  selected  at  random  from  all 
parts  of  the  Bible. 

This  I  think  was  in  1787,  or  1788.  Your  father  was 
then  seventeen  years  old ;  ten  years  in  advance  of  my 
own  age.  He,  however,  soon  left  the  school,  but  your 
mother  continued  in  it,  eight  or  ten  years  after,  and  as 
long  as  I  did  myself. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  99 

And  I  romember  your  father,  not  only  whon  in 
school,  but  also  when,  on  the  cold  winter  niornino^s, 
with  axe  under  arm,  in  order  to  secure  his  fingers  from 
the  frost,  he  hastened  to  the  wood-lot,  for  the  purpose 
of  felling  trees,  which,  during  the  course  of  the  d;iy, 
were  brought  home  by  the  teams. 

Aliout  the  time  he  left  school,  your  father  and  mine, 
I  remember,  were  employed  in  repairing  a  long  line  of 
undivided  fence,  on  '  Mount  Ratmatat,'  so  called  ;  and 
your  uncle  Thomas,  coming  to  them,  said, — '  Why, 
you  have  not  gone  ahead  far ! '  To  which  your  father 
replied, — ''Ah  ! — ice  have  had  something^  to  do  : '  mean- 
ing that  the  fence  which  they  had  gone  over,  needed 
to  have  much  done  to  it. 

At  another  time,  near  this  period,  your  father  and 
mine  were  ploughing,  in  my  father's  ground,  having 
united  their  teams,  for  the  purpose  of  turning  over  a 
plat  of  sward-land ;  and  intending  to  finish  the  piece, 
some  one  who  came  along,  remarked,  '  You  will  hard- 
ly finish  it,  this  afternoon.'  Your  father  promptly  re- 
plied :  *  Tliere  will  be  a  moon  vp,  after  the  sun  has 
gone  doivn  ! ' 

I  mention  these  little  incidents,  in  proof  that  your 
father  in  his  youth,  notwithstanding  his  remarkable 
characteristic  sedateness  and  sobriety,  was  ready,  as 
occasion  offered,  to  make  spirited  and  sprightly  ob- 
servations. But  the  most  interesting  reminiscence  of 
him,  belonging  to  this  period,  is  that  of  his  figure,  yet 
distinctly  retained  in  my  mind,  as  he  once  sat  in  the 
family  gallery  pew,  on  the  Sabbath,  in  the  old  meet- 
ing-house, with  his  face  fixed,  bending  forward,  his 
eyes  intent  upon  the  minister,  eagerly  drinking  in  every 
sentiment,  that,  by  the  closest  attention,  could  be 
gathered  from  the  feeble  and  fi'agmentary  sentences 
of  our  ffood  old  minister. 

Mr.  Emerson  had  been  a  Whitefieldian  Boanerges. 
But  he  was  now  fairly,  and  rather  prematurely,  super- 
annuated. The  fires,  which  once  kindled  and  burned 
so  vividly,  were  now,  (except  a  few  occasional  corus- 
cations which  told  what  he  once  was,)  asleep  in  the 
ashes  of  decrepitude  and  second  childhood.     With  the 


100  MEMOIR    OP 

decay  of  an  efficient  ministry,  religion  itself,  except  iii 
its  habits  and  C2istoms^  had  also  decayed.  There  was 
no  manifest  and  lively  piety  among  the  young  people. 
They  all  attended  meeting.  They  did  it  from  habit. 
But  none  of  them  made  profession  of  religion,  except 
your  uncle  Thomas.  And  your  father  was  near  doing 
it,  at  the  same  time.  He  did  not,  however,  join  the 
Church,  until  the  winter  of  1793  or  1794,  and  then  at 
Salisbury,  the  Church  of  which  your  uncle  T.  was 
pastor.  It  was  not,  therefore,  because  religion  was 
fashionable,  or  because  he  had  companions  to  encour- 
age him  in  it,  that  your  father  was  one  of  the  few,  who 
*  feared  the  Lord  from  their  youth.' 

I  remember,  that  he  played  the  fife,  on  military  days ; 
and  especially  on  one  very  memorable  and  saddening 
occasion.  It  was  the  funeral  of  Lieut.  Ralph  Emer- 
son, who  was  instantly  killed  on  the  parade,  by  the 
accidental  discharge  of  a  cannon,  in  Oct.  1790.  He 
was  buried  *  under  arms,'  with  military  honors ;  S. 
Worcester  leading  the  music  of  the  fife,  and  A.  Love- 
joy,  that  of  the  drum.  The  music  was  often  spoken  of 
afterwards,  as  being  very  expressively  mournful,  and  in 
perfect  keeping  with  the  awful  solemnity  of  the  scene. 

I  remember  a  little  incident  in  respect  to  that  un- 
fortunate cannon,  some  two  years  afterwards.  I  saw 
your  father,  then  a  student,  try  his  strength^  at  Ufliyig 
the  heavy  end  of  it.  Not  seeming  to  be  much  in  earn- 
est, at  the  first  attempt,  keeping  his  cane  in  his  hand, 
the  cannon  did  not  rise.  But,  putting  his  cane  under 
his  left  arm,  he  made  a  serious  effort,  and  succeeded  in 
it. — I  mention  this,  also,  as  indicative,  that,  notwith- 
standing his  habitual  gravity,  which  some  thought  be- 
came an  infirmity  to  him,  he  did  not  feel^  or  affect  a 
dignity^  which  kept  him  aloof  from  youthful  pleasan- 
tries and  emulations. 

He  must,  I  think,  have  kept  school,  in  the  winters  of 
1788,  and  1789 ;  but  I  remember  nothing.  In  1790, 
he  kept  the  school  at  the  North  Corner.  He  boarded 
at  home,  and  consequently  must  have  walked,  night 
and  morning,  the  distance  of  two  miles.  I  remember 
meeting  him,  as  we,  each,  were  coming  and  going  to 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  101 

school  ;  he  to  teach  and  I  to  learn. — Mr.  Adams  kept 
the  Centre  school.  He  introduced  dialogue-speaking, 
for  the  first  time,  into  Hollis.  Your  father  took  a 
part  in  this  thing,  and  figured  well  in  Beverly  and 
Myrtle,  and  Gen.  Walsingham.  An  exhil)ition  at  the 
close  of  the  school  went  ofl*  so  well,  that  the  larger 
scholars  proceeded  on  in  the  same  line,  got  up  an  ex- 
hibition among  themselves,  on  a  much  larger  scale,  and 
with  perfect  success.  In  this,  the  master-spirit,  both 
as  to  management  and  action,  was  S.  Worcester." 

He  had,  at  this  period,  and  for  a  long  time  after- 
wards, a  very  strong  interest  in  the  drama.  Whatever 
served  to  give  him  a  knowledge  of  human  character, 
whether  in  the  inventions  of  fiction  or  the  narratives  of 
fact,  commanded  his  very  best  powers  of  attention  and 
reflection.  In  his  youth,  he  read  much  of  history,  and 
became  eminent  for  his  knowledge  of  men  and  events 
of  former  days.  As  a  student  of  modern  history,  he 
greatly  excelled,  throughout  his  public  life. 

It  will  have  been  noticed,  that  he  first  taught  school, 
at  seventeen  years  of  age.  His  qualifications  were  put 
to  a  trying  test ;  particularly  his  power  in  discipline. 
He  was  accustomed  to  open  his  school  with  prayer. 
One  of  the  oldest  scholars  treated  the  exercise  with 
great  irreverence.  The  youthful  teacher  was  grieved, 
but  not  disconcerted.  He  immediately  addressed  the 
young  man,  and  the  school,  in  such  a  mode  of  appeal, 
as  was  most  unexpected  and  decisive.  An  eye-wit- 
ness is  said  to  have  been  at  once  struck  with  the 
thought,  that  he  was  destined  to  become  no  ordinary 
man. 

When  he  first  taught  in   his  native  town,  a  scholar, 
who  had  been  for  some  years  in  the  same  school  with 
himself,  but  had  been  notorious  for  idleness  and  mis- 
chief, and  was  hardly  able  to  read,  very  early  seized 
9* 


102  MEMOIR    OF 

an  opportunity  to  show  his  contempt.  He  was  older 
than  his  teacher.  Yielding  to  a  request  to  remain  af- 
ter the  rest  were  dismissed,  but  with  no  very  favorable 
feelings  or  honorable  purposes,  he  was  most  kindly 
exhorted  to  consider  his  neglect  of  study,  his  insubor- 
dination, the  importance  of  improving  his  present 
means  of  instruction,  and  of  recovering  the  lost  respect 
of  his  associates.  The  tears  flowed  freely,  and  as  a 
result  he  made  as  good  proficiency,  and  was  as  exem- 
plary, as  any  one  belonging  to  the  school.  Dr.  Wor- 
cester related  the  anecdote  to  a  friend,  some  years  af- 
terwards, as  if  the  remembrance  of  it  was  peculiarly 
grateful  to  his  feelings. 

Although  he  prayed  in  his  school,  and  had  been  ac- 
customed to  pray  at  the  domestic  altar,  in  the  ab- 
sence and  in  the  presence  of  his  father,  it  was  not  be- 
cause he  professed,  or  thought  himself  to  be,  a  Chris- 
tian. He  joined  a  society  of  young  men  in  the  town, 
which  was  designed  to  promote  intellectual  and  moral 
improvement.  The  meetings  were  held  on  Sabbath 
evenings ;  and  as  the  rule  was,  he  in  his  turn  con- 
ducted the  devotional  service.  This  he  did,  as  did 
others,  who  were  not  members  of  the  Chm'ch,  nor  re- 
putedly pious. 

The  "  unusual  attention  to  religion  "  of  which  men- 
tion has  been  made,  occurred  in  1786,  the  year  pre- 
vious to  his  first  experiment  in  teaching.  The  Church 
in  his  native  town,  being  much  quickened,  he  and  his 
brother  Thomas  were  both  deeply  affected.  Leonard 
also,  at  Worcester,  was  at  the  same  time  earnestly 
seeking  the  Lord.  It  was  a  period  of  '•''  awakening''^ 
in  a  large  number  of  the  Churches,  which  was  doubt- 
less connected  with  the  increase  of  earnest  prayer 
among  the  people  of  God,  in  those  years  of  political 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  103 

and  financial  embarrassmont,  and  general  distress,  be- 
tween the  IVace  of  1783,  and  the  adoption  of  the  Fed- 
eral Constitution,  in  1788. 

Under  date  of  Lord's  day.  May  28,  1786,  Miss  Ly- 
dia  Worcester  wrote  in  her  Diary  : — 

"  I  was  still  confined  from  public  worship  by  weak- 
ness, but  enjoyed  some  freedom  in  reading,  and  in 
meditating  upon  divine  things.  Was  much  rejoiced 
to  hear  of  tlic  icondcrfid  revival  of  religion  in  many 
places*  I  longed  and  prayed,  that  the  heavenly  shower 
might  reach  this  sinful  town,  and  seemed  to  have  more 
hopes  that  it  would.  The  Lord  grant,  that  it  may 
spread  throughout  the  land,  and  that  all  the  people 
may  praise  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

There  were  hundreds  of  revivals,  and  in  some 
Churches  a  succession,  at  short  intervals.  But  partly 
because  there  was  no  such  wonderful  operation  as  in 
the  Great  Awakening,  and  partly,  if  not  chiefly,  be- 
cause there  were  no  magazines  or  other  publications, 
to  diffuse  religious  intelligence, — the  records  or  memo- 
rials of  numerous  and  delightful  visitations  of  the 
Spirit,  were  private  rather  than  public,  and  known 
only  to  a  very  limited  extent.  * 

The  New  York  Theological  Magazine  began,  July, 
1795.  It  was  devoted  chiefly  to  doctrinal  discussions, 
but  contained  some  religious  and  missionary  intelli- 
gence. But  it  was  not  until  the  last  year  of  the  cen- 
tury^ that  any  American  periodical  existed,  which  was 
designed  especially  to  convey  such  intelligence.  The 
Neiv  York  Missionary  Magazine  and  Repository  of 
Religious  Intelligence^  began  Jan.  1, 1800.  In  the  "  In- 
troduction," it  is   said, — "  Many  serious  persons  have 

*  This  statement  will  surprise  those  who  have  so  often  heard,  that  there 
were  few  or  no  revivals,  from  the  period  of  17-10-3,  until  about  1101. 


104  MEMOIR    OF 

lately  expressed  a  regret,  that  no  publication,  devoted  to 
the  conveyance  of  religious  intelligence,  existed  in  the 
United  States.  While  the  presses  throughout  the 
Union  are  teeming  with  literary  and  political  journals, 
they  have  lamented  that  no  convenient  medium  is 
found,  for  conveying  to  the  public  information  relative 
to  the  state  of  the  Church,  and  the  prosperity  or  de- 
cline of  that  kingdom,  whose  interests  they  esteem 
more  important  than  those  of  any  temporal  sovereign- 
ty. This  deficiency  is  the  more  to  be  regretted,  as, 
from  the  scattered  state  of  our  American  churches, 
over  an  immense  territory,  communication  between 
them  is  rendered  difficult,  if  not  next  to  impracticable, 
by  any  ordinary  means.  Hence  it  is,  that  the  state  of 
religion  in  one  part  of  our  country  is  rarely  known  to 
those  residing'  in  another.  The  most  illustrious  triumphs 
of  grace  are  heard  of  only  in  a  small  circle :  and  some 
of  the  most  interesting  articles  of  information,  respect- 
ing the  displays  of  Divine  power  in  the  conversion  of 
sinners,  and  the  promulgation  of  evangelical  truth 
among  the  heathen  in  our  oivn  land,  have  been  alto- 
gether unknown  among  ourselves,  until  they  reached 
us  through  the  medium  of  foreign  publications." — 
What  an  amazing  contrast  to  oiu*  present  means  of 
receiving  and  diffusing  intelligence! 

The  pious  sister,  whose  Diary  has  just  been  quoted, 
soon  had  the  delight  of  recording  the  different  stages 
of  an  interesting  work  of  God  in  the  Church  at  Hollis, 
and  in  which  her  father's  family  very  specially  par- 
ticipated. Sept.  25,  1786,  she  \\Tote  to  her  brother 
Leonard  : — 

*  *  *  *  u  I  have  the  happiness,  dear  brother,  to  in- 
form you,  that  through  the  free,  unmerited  mercy  of 
an  all-gracious  God,  we  have  a  prospect  of  a  happy 


SAMUEL    ^VORCESTER.  .   105 

reformation  in  this  placo.  It  b('gan  to  increase  soon 
after  you  was  here.  At  first,  it  was  })nt  small ;  but  it 
has  b(MMi  fi^radually  increasing,  until  I  believe  there  are 
in  this  town  more  than  a  hundred  people,  chiefly  young 
persons,  under  the  convicting  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  We  have  often  two  or  three  lectures  in  a 
week,  and  have  had  seven  or  eight  different  ministers 
to  preach  here,  this  summer.  People  in  general  seem 
to  be  very  attentive  to  the  preached  word,  and  God 
seems  wonderfully  to  assist  and  strengthen  our  rever- 
end pastor,  in  the  abundant  labors  to  which  he  is 
called.  Methinks  you  are  anxious  to  know  whether 
any  of  your  dear  friends  have  been  convinced  of  their 
lost  estate,  in  this  day  of  gi'ace  and  mercy.  Blessed 
be  God,  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  inform  you,  that 
our  dear  brothers  Thomas  and  Samuel  have  both  met 
with  a  savins;  cliansre,  Thomas  was  several  months  in 
great  darkness,  but  has  seemed  to  be  very  comfortable, 
for  some  days  past,  and  hopes  that  God  has  set  his 
soul  at  liberty.  Samuel  is  yet  in  darkness  in  respect 
to  his  state ;  but  I  can't  but  hope  he  has  really  a  prin- 
ciple of  grace  implanted  in  him.  Although  he  has  not 
yet  the  evidence  of  it  to  himself,  he  appears  to  be  very 
humble  and  submissive,  and  greatly  afraid  of  deceiv- 
ing himself  And  now,  dear  brother,  are  you  not  ready 
to  say,  'Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  for  his  goodness, 
and  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men ! '  " 

m   *   *    * 

In  answer  to  this  letter,  that  dear  brother  responded, 
"rejoicing  in  hope,"  that  he  had  recently  passed  out 
of  great  darkness  into  the  "  light  of  life."  * 

October  25th,  the  sister  again  wrote  him,  and  in 
such  terms  of  satisfaction  and  gratitude,  as  the  occa- 
sion would  naturally  lead  her  to  use. 

*  He  joined  the  First  Church,  in  Worcester,  in  the  autumn  of  17S6.  He 
was  in  his  twentieth  year  ;  was  the  youngest  member,  and  by  ten  years  the 
youngePt  7nale  member.  In  a  very  few  years,  he  was  made  one  of  the  dea- 
cons  of  the  Church. 


106  MEMOIR    OF 

"  The  reformation  seems,"  she  says,  "  to  increase 
gradually.  There  are  but  few  yet  brought  into  the  light. 
Several  are  almost  in  despair, — a  distressing  state  to 
be  in,  as  all  know,  who  have  had  the  experience  of  it. 
Thomas,  I  expect,  will  make  a  profession  next  Lord's 
day.  Samuel  still  remains  doubtful  in  his  mind,  hav- 
ing at  times  gi'cat  fears  in  regard  to  his  state.  God 
grant,  we  may  none  of  us  deceive  ourselves  with  a 
false  hope  ;  but  that  we  may  all  be  built  upon  the 
Rock  Christ,  that  sure  foundation  which  will  never 
fail !  "  * 

Thirty-five  years  after  these  interesting  events,  Rev. 
Thomas  Worcester  thus  answered  some  inquiries  of 
Rev.  E.  Cornelius  : — 

"  Salisbury,  K  K,  July  13,  1821. 

Reverend  and  dear  Sir, — 

IVIy  brother  of  Peacham  has  informed  me,  that  you 
desired  that  I  would  send  you  some  information  in 
respect  to  the  religious  experience  of  my  dear  deceased 
brother  Samuel ;  and  the  time  when  he  united  with 
the  Church  in  this  place.  In  the  year  1786,  when  my 
beloved  brother  was  in  the  sixteenth  year  of  his  age, 
there  was  some  revival  of  religion  in  Hollis,  the  place 
of  our  nativity,  in  which,  as  we  have  ever  since  hoped, 
my  brother  with  myself  had  a  saving  share.  As  to  the 
awakening,  conviction,  and  conversion  of  my  brother,  I 
remember  nothing  extraordinary.  It  was  apparently, 
if  I  may  so  say,  by  '  a  still  small  voice,'  that  he  was 
led  to  see,  that  he  was  entirely  without  the  love  of 
God  in  him  ;  to  feel  his  dependence  upon  the  free  grace 
of  God,  for  regeneration,  pardon,  and  eternal  life  ;  and 
brought  to  receive  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord  as  his  chosen 
and  beloved  Savior.  He  had  been,  I  think,  under  se- 
rious and  gradually  increasing  religious  impressions, 

*  From  her  Diary,  it  also  appears,  that  at  the  close  of  the  "  lectures,"  it 
was  common  for  all  to  remain,  who  desired  special  and  personal  instruction. 
She  mentions,  Sept.  9th,  that,  "  after- meeting,  above  fifty  persons  met  to- 
gether, under  concern  for  their  precious  souls." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  107 

as  much  as  five  or  six  months,  bofore  lie  dared  to  liope, 
that  a  saviii«jf  work  was  wrought  in  liim.  As  near  as 
I  can  remember,  the  first  time  that  he  expressed  tome 
or  to  any  one,  any  liope  that  he  had  passed  from  death 
unto  life,  was  a  little  after  I  had  united  wi1h  the 
Church  in  Hollis,  which  was  on  the  12th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1786,  when  my  brother  had  entered  a  few  days 
into  his  seventeenth  year.  He  had,  however,  so  much 
fear  attending  his  hope,  that  he  was  prevented  from 
making  a  public  profession  of  religion,  for  several 
years." 

When  the  writer  of  the  foregoing  united  himself 
with  the  Church,  at  Hollis,  in  imitation  of  his  godly 
fore-fathers,  it  would  have  added  greatly  to  his  inter- 
est in  the  solemn  transaction,  if  his  younger  brother 
could  have  been  associated  with  him.  But  none  could 
have  given  praise  with  a  purer  or  more  fervent  mel- 
ody of  heart,  than  the  devout  sister  who  had  so  loved 
them  both.  Hundreds  of  times  had  they  heard,  and 
often  had  accompanied  w4th  their  own  voices,  her 
favorite  strain : — 

"  There's  nothing  round  this  spacious  earth, 
That  suits  my  large  desire  ; 
To  boundless  joy  and  solid  mirth, 
My  nobler  thoughts  aspire. 
***** 

Had  I  the  pinions  of  a  dove, 

I'd  climb  the  heavenly  road  ; 
There  sits  my  Savior  dressed  in  love, 

And  there  my  smiling  God." 

These,  with  the  other  stanzas  of  the  hymn,  (Watts, 
Hy.  10.  B.  XL)  were  sung  at  her  request  by  a  large  cir- 
cle around  her  dying  bed,  in  January,  1789.  And  her 
own  voice,  clear  and  powerful  almost  as  ever,  sounded 
forth  every  line,  as  if  the  triumphant  requiem  of  her 
departing  spirit. 

The  brother,  who  had  loved  her  in  return  with  an 


108  MEMOIR    OF 

affection,  which  is  seldom  exceeded,  was  now  in  his 
nineteenth  year.  It  was  with  emotions  miwonted  and 
unutterable,  that  he  listened  to  her  farewell  charge, 
and  witnessed  the  blessedness  of  such  a  dying  Chris- 
tian. For  a  long  time  afterwards,  he  often  spoke  of 
the  death  of  his  beloved  sister  Lydia ;  and  as  if  he  had 
never  until  then  had  any  conception  of  the  unspeak- 
able value  of  an  interest  in  Christ.  All  his  views  of 
the  attractions  of  the  cross,  and  "  the  beauty "  to  be 
"  admired  "  in  the  Savior  of  sinners,  were  illuminated 
as  by  a  transfigm-ation. 


CHAPTER   III. 

Desire  of  professional  life.  Resistance  by  his  father.  A  student  at  New 
Ipswich  Academy.  Oration  before  the  Demosthenian  Society,  11th  of 
October,  1791.  Enters  Dartmouth  College.  Feelings  towards  the  Facul- 
ty. Surrounding  influences.  Joins  the  Church  of  Salisbury,  N.  H.  Gen- 
eral spirit  of  character.  A  martial  element.  Pecuniary  pressure.  High 
standard  of  scholarship.  Tokensof  esteem  and  respect.  Correspondence. 
Fourth  of  July  Oration,  1795.  Choice  of  profession.  Valedictory,  at 
Hanover. 

"  Every  one  shall  consider  it  the  main  end  of  his  life  and  studies,  to  know 
God  and  Jesus  Christ,  which  is  eternal  life." — The  first  law  in  the  college 
code  of  Harvard,  respecting  the  students.,  in  1642. 

"  EXCELSIOR." 

Dr.  Worcester's  four  elder  brothers  were  so  settled 
in  life,  or  had  so  decided  upon  their  calling,  before 
1790,  that  the  father  naturally  looked  to  him  as  the 
son,  who  should  be  his  partner  and  successor  at  the 
homestead.  He  was  well  aware  of  his  fatlier's  plans. 
His  brother  Noah  had  yielded  to  the  solicitations  of 
the  people  of  Thornton,  and,  having  obtained  license 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  109 

to  preach,  was  ably  sustaining  himself  as  their  pastor. 
His  brotlier  Thomas  was  encouraged  to  follow  his  ex- 
ample, in  entering  the  ministry.  So  intimate  were  his 
relations  to  the  latter,  that  it  would  have  been  very 
strange,  if  he  had  not  inquired  of  himself,  whether  he 
too  must  not  go  forward  in  the  same  direction,  unless 
the  great  demand  for  jurists  and  attorneys  had  led  his 
thoughts  to  the  bar,  rather  than  the  pulpit. 

The  duty  of  preparing  himself  for  a  profession  was 
not  a  new  subject,  when  his  attention  was  called  to  it, 
by  the  late  Prof.  Adams,  of  Dartmouth  College,  who 
was  then  a  student,  and  boarded  in  his  father's  family, 
while  teaching  school,  in  Hollis.  This  gentleman  had 
discovered  his  superior  talents.  Beside  other  consider- 
ations, a  powerful  motive  was  addressed  to  him  from 
the  encouragements,  which,  under  the  new  Constitu- 
tion, were  afforded  by  the  prospects  of  the  country,  to 
all  young  men  of  good  abilities  and  character,  who 
might  be  disposed  to  look  for  eminence  at  the  bar,  or 
distinguished  usefulness  in  the  ministry.  His  teach- 
er's arguments  and  his  own  inclinations  were  alike 
irresistible ;  and  the  purpose  was  formed,  to  leave  the 
pursuits  of  husbandry  for  some  one  of  the  professions, 
if  life  and  health  should  be  spared.  Much  as  he  had 
excelled,  in  labors  upon  the  farm,  it  is  very  true,  as  he 
said  of  himself,  some  years  afterwards  : — '^  I  never  was 
made  for  a  farmer.''^ — When  he  had  become  the  pastor 
of  a  country  parish,  his  domestic  habits  indicated  not 
the  least  relish  for  agricultural  toils  or  recreations. 

When  the  father  became  apprized  of  his  son's  de- 
terminations, he  could  not  speak  peaceably  upon  the 
subject.  All  his  favorite  plans  were  to  be  crushed, — 
if  those  determinations  should  be  carried  into  effect. 
His  son  was  so  athletic,  and  so  faithful,  that  the  pecu* 
10 


110  MEMOIR    OF 

niary  loss  of  his  services  was  of  no  small  account  in 
the  estimation  of  the  parent,  who  had  many  anxious 
cares  in  his  straitened  circumstances,  and  who  was 
not  seldom  assailed  by  the  legion  of  hypochondria. — 
"  Why,"  said  he,  "  Samuel  is  worth  more  to  me,  than 
any  two  men^  that  I  could  hire  I "  The  statement  no 
one  could  have  controverted,  who  knew  of  the  son, 
that  he  could  accomplish  a  good  day's  work  at  mow- 
ing, before  breakfast. 

But  the  father  had  a  still  gi'eater  loss  in  anticipa- 
tion, in  being  deprived  of  his  son's  dutiful  attentions 
and  agreeable  society.  This  undoubtedly  "was  the 
reason  of  all  others,  for  his  resistance  of  his  son's  wish- 
es. So  morbid  were  his  feelings,  that  he  could  not  pa- 
tiently endure  the  sight  of  a  book  in  the  son's  hands, 
when  resting  an  hour  at  noon,  from  the  labors  of  the 
field ;  and  the  son  was  obliged  to  indulge  his  ardent 
desire  of  intellectual  progi'ess,  by  stealing  away  to  a 
neighboring  shop,  where  he  privately  kept  some  of  his 
books.  And  when  at  last,  it  was  known  to  be  a  fixed 
point  witli  him,  to  leave  the  farm,  at  the  age  of  twen- 
ty-one, he  could  not  earlier, — the  father's  morbid  ex- 
citement could  only  be  allayed,  by  a  pledge  of  his  son 
Jesse,  to  make  arrangements  for  a  disposal  of  his  farm 
in  Bedford,  and  ere  long  assume  the  filial  cares  and 
responsibilities,  which  had  been  designed  for  his 
brother  Samuel.  How  little  was  then  ima^jjlned  of  the 
future ! 

The  legal  rights  of  the  father  were  strictly  respected. 
The  son  gave  his  note  of  hand,  in  consideration  of  his 
absence  of  six  months  before  his  minority  expired. 
To  reconcile  his  father  still  more  to  the  disappoint- 
ment, he  came  home  in  the  season  of  haying  and 
harvest.  With  his  own  hands,  he  is  said  to  have  cut 
forty  tons  of  hay, — in  that  summer  of  1791 1 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  Ill 

When  he  left  home  to  become  a  member  of  New 
Ipswich  Academy,  he  was  hardly  able  to  appear  in 
decent  apparel.  For  the  payment  of  his  board,  and 
for  other  expenses,  he  was  obliged  to  trust  in  the  favor 
of  Providence,  towards  his  purposes  and  eflbrts.  He 
had  determined  upon  a  profession,  but  not  as  yet  upon 
a  collegiate  course.  It  was  happy  for  him,  that  he  was 
led  to  the  dwelling  of  Deacon  Isaac  Appleton.* 

Writing  to  this  gentleman,  from  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege, April  26th,  1795,  he  says  : — 

"Believe  me.  Sir,  I  have  not  forgotten  yourself  or 
your  family.  I  still  cherish  a  grateful  remembrance 
of  the  kindness  I  have  experienced  at  your  hands  and 
at  your  house.  I  especially  remember  the  solicitude 
you  manifested  for  my  success  in  the  pursuit  of  learn- 
ing, and  the  interest  you  appeared  to  take  in  whatever 
concerned  my  welfare  and  my  usefulness  in  life.  It 
was  under  your  hospitable  roof,  that  I  iriade  my  first 
essays  in  my  literar}^  career.  It  was  then  that  I  first 
came  to  a  determination  of  prosecuting  a  classical 
education. — I  shall  never  forget  the  place  ;  it  is  dear  as 
that  of  my  nativity.  I  had  almost  said,  it  is  the  birth" 
place  of  my  mind.^^ 

Deacon  Appleton  soon  became  very  fond  of  him, 
and  used  to  have  much  conversation  with  him  on  va- 
rious subjects, — among  others,  the  peculiar  points  in 
the  theological  speculations  of  Hopkins.  It  is  remem- 
bered by  those  who  heard  them  converse,  that  they  ap- 
peared to  think  alike  in  theology,  and  to  concur,  in 
general,  in  the  views  of  the  Newport  divine.  JVIr.  Ap- 
pleton had  three  sons,  who  had  obtained,  or  were  ex- 
pecting a  liberal   education.     And  he  was  intensely 

*  Father  of  Samuel  and  Nathan  Appleton,  of  Boston,  so  well  known  for 
their  success  in  business  and  their  muaiiicence.  He  died  at  N.  Ipswich, 
Feb.  26, 1806,  aged  74. 


112  MEMOIR    OP 

desirous,  that  his  young  friend  should  also  fit  himself 
for  college.  He  therefore  reasoned  with  him,  in  regard 
to  ai]  the  difficulties,  which  he  might  have  to  over- 
come, and  encouraged  him  to  expect  ultimate  and  en- 
tire success.  Ever  afterwards  he  watched  his  pro- 
gress, and  to  the  close  of  life  admired  his  intellectual 
and  religious  character. — The  same  opinions  and  feel- 
ings respecting  his  industrious  pupil,  were  cherished 
by  his  accomplished  teacher,  John  Hubbard,  under 
whose  "  able  instruction  New  Ipswich  Academy  soon 
rose  to  distinction,  and  became  the  favorite  of  the 
public."  * 

"  His  first  recitation  in  Latin  Grammar  is  said  to  have 
astonished  his  preceptor  ;  exceeding  as  four  to  one  the 
prescribed  task."  He  soon  outstripped  those,  who 
had  commenced  several  months,  and  even  years,  before 
him.  The  ingenuous  witness  of  a  classmate  at  the 
academy,  and  afterwards  at  college, — intended  only 
for  the  eye  of  friends,  and  which  has  very  unexpect- 
edly been  communicated, — is  a  vivid  and  very  agree- 
able sketch  of  him  as  a  student,  at  the  beginning  of 
his  course : — 

"Oc^.  7,  1791.  Ever  since  [I  left  the  class  in  which 
I  first  studied,]  I  have  had  company,  a  young  man  by 
the  name  of  Samuel  Worcester,  son  of  Esq.  W.,  of 
HoUis.  Though,  to  use  your  own  language,  I  bave 
shaped  my  course  for  the  port  of  fame  and  spread  my 
sails  open  to  the  strongest  gales  of  ambition,  I  made 
haste  as  fast  as  possible  ;  yet  it  is  not  in  my  power  to 
leave  him.  He  is  about  of  my  standing  in  Latin,  but 
has  greatly  the  advantage  of  me  in  the  cultivation  of 
his  memory,  and  was  much  better  read  in  English  than 
myself.     We  have  read  six  books  in  Virgil,  and  seven 

*  Rev.  Dr.  Parish's  Eulogy,  ISlO.—  Qttar.  Reg.  Am.  Ed.  vol.  IV,  p.  327. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  113 

in  Cicero's  Orations.  lie  had  not  much  the  superior- 
ity over  me  in  Latin.  We  bej^an  our  Greek,  about 
the  first  of  September.  This  was  entirely  new  to  me. 
He  had  the  advantage  of  being  able  to  read  it.  He 
has  improved  u})on  this  advantage,  and  fairly  outdone 
me.  I  am  scarce  able  to  get  my  recitations  with 
him.     *     *     * 

You  ask  me  if  I  have  formed  any  agreeable  ac- 
quaintances with  the  scholars,  and  find  their  company 
improving.  *  *  *  ]\Jr.  Worcester,  whom  I  have 
mentioned,  commands  as  much  of  my  love  and  esteem, 
as  any  one ;  perhaps  because  I  have  a  better  acquain- 
tance with  him.  He  is  a  person,  I  believe,  possessed 
of  every  manly  talent,  and  capable  of  the  sincerest 
friendship ;  and  though  like  myself  he  is  not  so  ready 
an  accountant  as  some,  in  the  small  change  of  Ches- 
terfield, yet  in  my  sense  of  the  word,  he  is  a  gentleman, 
because  he  regulates  his  life  by  the  principles  of  virtue 
and  honor.  He  possesses  a  fine  disposition  and  na- 
tural good  abilities,  and  is  already  well  informed  by 
reading  and  observation."  * 

Some  extracts  from  a  manuscript  oration,  delivered 
before  the  Demosthenian  Society,  Oct.  11th  1791, — 
which  was  just  at  the  close  of  his  twenty-first  year, 
and  when  he  had  enjoyed  but  a  few  months  of  academic 
instruction, — ^will  indicate  the  proficiency  which  he 
had  made,  while  an  agricultm-al  youth.     They  reveal 

*  To  S.  H.,  a  friend  in  Wrentham,  Mass.  The  writer  was  afterwards  • 
known  as  David  Everett,  Esq.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Deacon  Apple- 
ton.  He  was  a  fine  scholar  in  the  languages;  studied  law;  distinguished 
himself  as  an  editor,  in  Boston  ;  died  in  Marietta,  Ohio,  Dec.  21,  1S13.  It 
was  he,  and  not  the  distinguished  Edward  Everett,  who  was  the  author  of 
th.e  declamation,  so  familiar  to  all  school-boys  : 

"  You'd  scarce  expect  one  of  my  age 
To  speak  in  public  on  the  stage,"  &c. 

This  was  spoken  the  first  time  by  E.  H.  Farrar,  when  seven  years  old,  and 
for  whom  it  was  expressly  written.  As  now  printed,  "  Massadmsettt "  has 
been  substituted  for  "  New  Hampshire,"  and  "  any  sister  State  "  for  "  Fed- 
eral Stale." 

10* 


114  MEMOIR    OF 

also  his  sentiments  and  aspirations,  in  the  prospect 
which  was  then  presented  to  his  view.  He  was  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  Society. 

"  The  rise  and  fall  of  States  and  Empires,  wars  and 
tragic  scenes,  together  with  the   progress   and  happy 
effects  of  literature,   all  which  are  but  circumstances 
relating  to  men,  have,  for  many  ages,  furnished  matter 
for  the  stage  among  most  nations.     If  these  are  sub- 
jects of  sufficient  importance  to   command  our  atten- 
tion ;  if  by  these  we  are  not  only  amused,  but  even 
benefited   and  improved ;  of  what  vast  consequence, 
then,  must  man's  self  be  considered  ?     How  interested 
must  we  feel  when  that  is  our  theme  ?     Indeed,  if  we 
but  cast  our  eyes  around  upon   creation,  and  observe 
the  amazing  disparity  between  man   and  every  object 
which  sti'ikes  our  senses,  to  what  a  sublime  height  in 
the  scale  of  being  must  he  arise  in  our  view !     We  see 
the  brutal  tribes   subjected  to   servitude,  without  the 
prospect  of  emancipation.     We  see  them  enveloped  in 
ignorance,  and  destitute  of  means  and  abilities  for  im- 
provement.    Being,  in  a  manner,  devoid  of  faculties 
for  contemplation  and  reflection,  we  see  them  confined 
to  present  circumstances  for  happiness.     In  fine,  we 
see  their  passions  servile,  their  pursuits  insipid,  their 
existence  momentary,  and  their  happiness  to   consist 
in  the  privation   of  misery.     Far  otherwise  is  man. 
This  noble   being  we  find  every  way  calculated  for 
dignity  and  happiness.     Even  at  first  view,  he  sur- 
passes the  brute  creation  in   form  erect  and  graceful 
mien.     But  how  infinitely  farther  does  he  ti'anscend 
it,  in  mental  powers  and  intrinsic  excellence  I     We 
find  implanted  in  his  breast  those  social  feelings,  which 
form  the   heart  for  friendship — friendship,  from  which 
delicious  fount  we   quaff"  pleasures  the  most  refined. 
We  find  him  endowed  with  faculties  for  contempla- 
tion, a  never  failing  source   of  intellectual   happiness. 
Fraught  with  ideas  of  greatness,  he  spurns  subjection 
and  greatly  owns  no  lord  on  earth.     Not  confined  to 
earthly  toys,  he  aspkes  to  glory,  honor,  and  immor- 
taUty." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  115 

He  next  describes  the  powers  of  the  human  mind, 
and  illustrates  the  "subserviency  of  all  Nature  to  the 
purposes  of  man."  In  this  part  of  the  "  oration,"  he 
draws  some  florid  pictures,  like  that  of  "  vernal  May 
clothing  the  mazy  landscape  with  her  verdant  carpet, 
and  adorning  the  wide  champaign  with  that  roseate 
pageantry,  whose  ambrosial  fragrance  diffused  through 
the  air,  exhilarates  every  sense." 

After  a  strain  of  just  and  indignant  comment  upon 
the  apparent  views  of  life,  among  various  classes  of 
"  earth-born  souls,  who  aim  at  nothing  higher  in  the 
scale  of  being,  than  barely  to  exist,  exempt  from  pain," 
he  proceeds  : 

*•  Is  it  for  these  all  nature  keeps  in  motion  ?  Are 
these  the  beings  we  deem  the  most  dignified  and 
happy  of  created  existence  ?  Shall  we  call  these  7nen  ? 
Debasing  thought !  No  :  let  us  rather  denominate  them 
the  refuse  of  being  and  dregs  of  human  nature  ;  who, 
though  they  may  share  the  common  bounties  of  na- 
ture, can  by  no  means  lay  claim  to  a  participation  in 
the  dignity  nor  even  the  refined  happiness  of  man. 
But  it  is  he  who  feels  the  dignity  of  human  nature 
and  the  importance  of  his  existence — who,  far  from 
confining  his  ideas  of  happiness  to  the  narrow  sphere 
of  his  own  enjoyments,  comprises  in  his  extensive 
wish  the  happiness  of  all  sensitive  existence,  and  con- 
sequently deems  it  his  highest  felicity  to  administer 
the  balm  of  consolation  to  the  dejected,  to  wipe  the 
falling  tear  from  the  eye  of  the  disconsolate,  to  extend 
the  hand  of  charity  to  the  indigent.  In  a  word,  to 
contribute  as  much  as  in  him  lies  to  the  happiness 
of  all,  and  to  commiserate  the  distresses  he  cannot  re- 
lieve. He  who  to  every  virtue  joins  his  ardent  en- 
deavors to  excel,  in  whatever  is  truly  great.  This  is 
he  whom  we  celebrate  as  the  glory  of  this  lower  crea- 
tion and  noblest  w^ork  of  Deity.  At  the  representation 
of  such  a  character,  whose  bosom  glows  not  with  the 
most  sublime  ideas  ?     Conscious  of  his  high  preroga- 


116  MEMOIR    OF 

tive,  Avho  would  not  glory  in  the  appellation   of  man, 
and  who  is  not  animated  to  the  most  spirited  exertion 
to  maintain   his  dignity  ?     And  we,    my   friends,  for 
such   I  esteem   my   fellow-students,  especially  of  the 
Dcmosthenian   Society,  what  an  animating  prospect 
have  we  before  us  ?      We  see  ivhat  we  may  he ;  but  npon 
onr  exertion  depends  ivhat  we  shall  be.     By  this  we 
are  to  determine  whether  to  be  brutes  or  men ;  wheth- 
er to  grovel  as  insects,  or  soar  as  Angels ;  whether  our 
names  shall  be  buried  in  oblivion,  or  rise,  to  immortal 
fame.     And  since  this  is  the  time  in  which  we   are  to 
lay  the  foundation  of  our  characters,  have  we  not  the 
most  cogent  incentives  to  assiduity  in  our  studies  and 
regularity  in  our  conduct  ?     Have  we  not  the  voice  of 
our  country,   of  reason,   and   of  interest,  to  stimulate, 
and  fame,  with  her  lam-el  wi'eath,   in  connection  with 
most  consummate  intellectual  happiness,  to  allure  us  ? 
Whose  mind  is  so  servile,  as   not  to  behold  with  ad- 
niiration  the  achievements  of  a  Franklin  and  a  Wash- 
ington, who,  by  their  noble  efforts  have  ensured  a  two- 
fold immortality  ?     But  are  we  to  esteem  them  as  ob- 
jects of  admiration  only  ?     Shall  we  look  upon  them, 
as  an  order  of  beings  diverse  from  man  ?     Ought  we 
not  rather  to  view  them,  as  characters  for  imitation, 
and  resolve  to  reach  the  goal,  to  which  they  have  ar- 
rived ?     Yes  ;  as  men  we   esteem  them,  and  as  men 
we  may  emulate  them.    Their  titles  and  posts  of  honor, 
which   are   at  best  but  appendages  of  greatness,  are, 
perhaps,  what  we  are  not  to  expect ;  but  to  rival  them 
in  the   essential  is   our  prerogative.     True  greatness 
is  not  confined  to  local  preferments ;  but  he  who  con- 
ducts with  propriety  in  the  station  which  he  sustains, 
is  truly  a  great  and  respectable  character.     To  con- 
firm this,  witness  the   honorable    gentlemen   we    are 
happy  to  acknowledge,  as  the  Trustees  of  this  flour- 
ishing Seminary  and  guardians   of  this   Society,  and 
for  whose  favor  we   now  return   our  warmest  thanks. 
Witness    our   worthy   Instructor,    at  the    mention   of 
whose  name  every  student  feels  in   his  breast  a  thrill 
of  pleasure  and  the  glow  of  gratitude.     To  these  we 
deem  it  no  compliment  to  ascribe  the   appellation  of 
Man,  in  its  strictest  sense. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  117 

Wc  arc  at  present  to  consider  onrselves  as  students, 
and  as  such  let  us  strive  to  excel.  Let  us,  by  the  most 
intense  application,  endeavor  to  investif^ate  the  mazes 
of  science,  to  dissij)ate  the  clouds  of  ignorance  from 
our  minds,  and  to  eradicate  error  and  superstition  from 
the  human  breast.  Let  Benevolence  and  Emulation 
influence,  and  let  Reason  and  Virtue  regulate  our 
conduct ;  that  we  may  procure  respectability  as  a  So- 
ciety, honor  and  esteem  as  individuals,  and  as  Immor- 
tals, Glory  and  eternal  Felicity." 

This  "  oration  "  is  the  first  of  the  author's  composi- 
tions, which  he  took  pains  to  preserve.  During  the 
winter  following,  he  taught  school.  After  this,  he 
studied  a  short  time  at  Boscawen,  under  the  guidance 
of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Wood,  and  entered  Dartmouth 
College,  in  the  Summer  Term  of  1792  ;  thus  joining 
the  Class,  which  entered  four  months  only  after  he  be- 
gan to  prepare.  "  He  flung  a  Greek  Testament  through 
the  College^  and  in  he  wentj'' — said  a  college  contem- 
porary, in  reference  to  his  rapidity  of  progress. 

For  this  progress,  however,  he  paid  a  great  price. 
He  impaired  his  health  to  such  a  degree,  that  entire 
recovery  seemed  never  to  be  practicable.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1815,  he  was  visited  by  a  student  of  Phillips 
Academy,  Andover, — in  whom,  as  a  relative,  and  in 
much  poverty  an  aspirant  for  education,  he  took  a 
kind  interest,  as  he  did  in  all  promising  young  men. 
"  He  referred  to  his  own  broken  health,  and  said,  that 
he  laid  the  foundation  of  all  his  subsequent  infirmi- 
ties in  the  first  year  of  his  academical  studies  ;  and 
added  with  emphasis,  I  now  charge  you  not  to  do  it." 

With  such  evidences  of  a  mind  capable  of  improve- 
ment, it  is  not  strange,  that  he  should  have  received 
much  applause,  and  very  flattering  encouragements. 
Still,  such  was  his  indigence,  and  such  the  inevitable 


118  MEMOIR    OP 

pecuniary  embarrassments  to  be  encountered,  that  his 
determination  to  go  forward  was  no  doubtful  presage 
of  his  future  eminence. 

On  his  way  to  college,  he  visited  his  sister,  Mrs. 
Sarah  W.  Fox.  She  then  resided  in  Hebron,  N.  H. 
While  conversing  with  her,  he  said :  "  O  sister,  you 
do  not  know  what  trials  I  have  had,  in  getting  away 
from  home,  for  my  education."  His  heart  was  full. 
"  And  what,"  she  inquired, — "  will  you  do  with  your 
education,  when  you  have  got  it?" — "  I  think  I  shall 
be  a  lawyer."  "  I  hope,"  she  replied,  "  that  you  will 
do  something  better  with  your  education  than  that .'" 

It  was  not  until  the  last  weeks  of  his  course  at 
Hanover,  that  he  decided  to  devote  himself  to  the 
ministry  of  the  Gospel.  His  reasonings  upon  the  pro- 
fession of  law,  as  a  means  of  usefulness  to  men  of 
high  moral  and  religious  character,  were  very  similar 
to  those  of  his  estimable  friend  Jeremiah  Evarts,  Esq.* 
He  felt,  that  pious  lawyers  were  gi-eatly  needed  ;  and 
that  some  who  were  eminently  qualified  for  the  pulpit, 
mififht  render  as  efficient  service  to  the  interests  of  the 
church,  if  they  should  consecrate  their  talents  to  an 
honest,  magnanimous,  and  christian  exposition  and 
application  of  the  principles  of  jurisprudence.  The 
image  of  the  counsellor  and  the  judge,  which  he  and 
Evarts  had  conceived  as  the  model  of  their  aspira- 
tions, has  had  a  most  perfect  embodiment  of  univer- 
sally admired  reality,  in  the  late  Hon.  Samuel  Hub- 
bard. 

A  benevolent  regard  for  the  welfare  of  his  fellow 
men  mingled  with  all  his  aims  and  hopes.  But  as 
yet  he  had  not  the  faintest  glimpse  of  the  exalted 
work  of  philanthropy,  for  which  he  was  now  preparing, 

*  Life  of  Evarts,  pp  37—13. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  119 

according  to  tlic  iiiisocii  purposes  of  ilie  "  Father  of 
lights,"  who  Jiath  given  to  the  Son  of  his  love,  the 
heathen  for  his  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of 
the  earth  for  his  possession. 

It  was  quite  an  event  in  the  family  history,  when 
Dr.  Worcester  was  numbered  among  the  students  of 
Dartmouth  College.  He  was  the  first  of  the  known 
descendants  of  the  venerable  minister  of  Salisbury,  to 
avail  himself  of  the  advantages  of  a  liberal  education. 
The  year  before  he  entered,  however,  his  eldest  brother 
received  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M.  from  Dart- 
mouth, and  subsequently  his  brothers  Thomas  and 
Leonard,  were  noticed  in  a  similar  manner, — the  lat- 
ter by  the  University  of  Vermont. 

It  is  remembered  by  a  college  contemporary,  that 
he  attracted  some  special  attention,  by  the  reddish 
color  of  his  home-made  coat ;  which  also  was  not  cut 
in  the  newest  fashion,  or  from  the  largest  pattern. 
There  were  those  who  derived  no  little  amusement 
from  his  inelegant  costume ;  but  soon  joined  with 
others,  in  the  warmest  expressions  of  respect  and  es- 
teem. 

When  he  entered  college,  the  students  were  much 
disposed  to  speak  evil  of  the  Faculty.  It  seemed  to 
him  very  singular,  that  members  of  the  Junior  and 
Senior  classes  should  visit  Sophomores  and  Fresh- 
men, and  labor  to  instill  into  their  minds  prejudices  of 
hatred  and  contempt,  for  some  of  the  permanent  offi- 
cers. They,  however,  had  poor  success  wdth  him. 
He  had  been  too  carefully  trained  to  subordination, 
and  had  too  much  of  readiness  to  appreciate  substan- 
tial merit  and  good  intentions.  It  was  not  in  him,  as 
is  far  too  frequent  with  undergraduates,  to  lay  aside 


120  MEMOIR    OF 

all  the  maxims  and  rules  of  good  breeding  and  com- 
mon-sense, for  the  sake  of  opposing  or  embarrassing 
the  regulations  of  the  institution,  which  they  have 
promised  to  obey.  He  resolved  to  think  as  highly  as 
he  honestly  could,  of  his  instructors  and  governors, 
and  to  be  controlled  in  his  opinions,  by  no  tradition- 
ary gossip  of  the  disaffected  and  disorganizing.  "  I 
found  when  I  came  to  recite  to  the  different  officers, 
that  those  who  were  the  most  able  and  most  faithful 
in  their  departments,  were  the  most  unpopular ;  and 
that,  really,  those  were  the  most  worthy  of  respect,  of 
whom  I  had  heard  the  most  evil."  * 

As  the  College  was  established  in  the  latter  part  of 
1770,  he  may  have  had  a  pleasant  thought  of  the  co- 
incidence between  his  own  age  and  that  of  his  Alma 
Mater.  And  whether  or  not  it  was  then  apparent  to 
himself,  he  had  reason  to  mark  the  guiding  hand 
which  led  him  to  Dartmouth. 

The  College  had  acquired  a  very  respectable  stand- 
ing, as  a  literary  institution.  But  it  was  its  religious 
history,  which  had  secured  for  it  an  especial  favor. 
It  could  not  boast  of  an  antiquity  or  of  resources,  like 
those  of  Harvard,  or  Yale  ;  but  its  origin  and  purpose 
were  as  evangelical  and  philanthropic,  and  the  cir- 
cumstances of  its  establishment  as  memorable,  as 
those  of  any  institution  of  our  country.f 

*  Remarks  made  to  his  son,  when  about  to  join  the  Freshman  Class,  at 
Harvard  College,  in  1S18. 

t  "  The  remote  cause  of  its  organization/'  it  has  been  intelligently  said, 
"  lies  back  in  the  great  revival  of  religion,  which  pervaded  nearly  the  whole 
of  New  England  in  the  year  1740  and  following  :  the  spirit  and  principles  of 
a  truly  primitive  and  apostolic  religion  were  awakened  and  called  forth  from 
the  grave,  in  which  they  had  slept  for  nearly  half  a  century,  in  an  expansion 
of  views,  a  warmth  of  soul,  a  self-denial,  a  boldness  and  enterprise  for  the 
glory  of  God,  and  the  enlargement  of  Zion,  both  in  the  bosoms  of  individ- 
uals and  churches,  such  as  had  not  been  witnessed  since  the  days  of  Eliot 
and  the  Mayhews."— -Qwar.  Reg.  A.  E.  Soc.  vol.  Lx.  p.  177. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  121 

With  a  zeal  like  tliat  of  Brainrrd,  Rev.  Eleazer 
Wheelock,  of  Lebanon,  Conn.,  extended  his  labors  to 
the  instruetion  of  Indian  youth.  His  sehool,  opened 
in  1748,  gi'ew  into  mueh  notoriety.  But  the  measures 
which  he  took  to  increase  its  efficiency  and  useful- 
ness, led  to  his  removal  with  his  scholars  to  Hanover, 
where  he  located  the  "  Moor  School,"  and  superin- 
tended also  the  establishment  of  the  College.  The 
journey  through  such  a  wilderness  as  was  then  en- 
countered, and  the  toils  and  privations  which  were  en- 
dured by  that  worthy  man,  entitle  him  to  a  very  hon- 
orable place,  among  the  true  sons  and  noblest  bene- 
factors of  New  England. 

He  left  his  parish  in  Lebanon,  in  the  spring  of  1769, 
and  in  the  midst  of  a  revival.  It  was  with  a  genuine 
revival  spirit  in  his  bosom,  that  he  erected  his  log 
cabin,  for  a  president's  house,  and  the  rude  buildings 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  students.  God  was 
with  him,  and  with  them  also. — The  doors  of  the  col- 
lege were  hardly  opened,  before  the  whole  place  was 
visited  with  delightful  influences  of  the  "  Spirit  of 
promise."  In  1775,  another  season  of  revival  was  en- 
joyed, both  in  the  college  and  the  village, — which 
greatly  animated  his  heart. 

Again  in  1781-2,  tssro  years  after  his  decease,  "  a 
revival  occurred,  of  uncommon  purity,  extent,  and 
power,  under  the  ministry  of  Prof.  'Ripley,  who  inher- 
ited the  spirit,  and  followed  up  the  labors  of  President 
Wheelock."  "  Under  the  labors  of  Prof.  Smith,"  "  the 
year  1788  was  signalized  by  another  season  of  deep 
and  pervading  religious  interest  in  the  college." 
"  From  that  period  till  the  year  1805,  neither  the 
records  of  the  church,  nor  the  recollection  of  indi- 
viduals, furnish  information  of  any  special  religious 
influence." 

11 


122  MEMOIR    OF 

Of  the  classmates  of  Dr.  Worcester,  no  one  has  been 
more  known  or  respected,  than  the  waiter  of  the  fol- 
lowing : — 

"  North  Brookjield,  Nov.  15,  1848. 

Rev.  and  dear  Sii', — 

*  *  *  Religion  was  a  subject  very  mnch  neglect- 
ed in  college,  while  I  was  a  member, — no  signs  of  a  re- 
vival at  any  time, — no  apparent  seriousness  amongst 
the  great  mass  of  college  students ;  I  did  not  hear  the 
question  asked  by  any  one, — '  What  must  I  do  to  be 
saved  ?  '  Five  or  six  years  before  I  entered  college, 
there  was  much  attention  and  many  converts,  as  I  was 
informed,  amongst  the  students  and  in  the  village. 
But  noio  very  little  was  said  upon  the  subject  of  reli- 
gion, in  any  way  whatever.  Occasionally  in  conver- 
sation religious  opinions  would  be  advanced  by  indi- 
viduals ;  but  not  so  generally  as  to  give  a  theological 
character  to  the  college,  so  far  as  formed  by  the  stu- 
dents. So  far,  however,  as  the  more  serious  and  re- 
spectable part  of  my  class,  and  those  three  classes  im- 
mediately before  me,  were  concerned,  they  were  ortho- 
dox. This  too  was  the  reputed  character  of  the  college, 
derived  from  the  earlier  and  the  then  present  officers 
of  the  institution.  But  I  never  heard  them  say  anything 
on  Christian  doctrine,  not  even  Prof.  Smith,  who  was 
our  constant  preacher,  from  which  I  could  readily  learn 
their  distinguishing  theological  opinions.  Doctrinal 
discourses  we  rarely  or  never  heard,  unless  from  Dr. 
Burton,  or  some  stranger.  According  to  my  recollec- 
tion, the  w4iole  moral  and  religious  atmosphere  was 
unfavorable  to  grorwth  in  gi'ace,  and  religious  impres- 
sions on  the  unrenewed  heart. 

There  might  have  been  six  in  my  class,  who  were 
hopefully  pious,  not  more  than  four,  including  your 
father,  that  had  professed  religion, — and  not  more  than 
twenty  in  all  the  four  classes,  when  I  was  freshman, — 
twenty  out  of  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

Your  father  was  more  advanced  in  years  than  most 
of  his  class,  and  more  mature  in  intellect,  and  better 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER,  123 

acquainted  with  theology  than  any  other  member. 
His  examph',  so  far  as  I  know,  was  worthy  of  imita- 
tion, and  did  honor  to  himself  as  a  man,  and  to  the 
cause  of  Christ,  as  a  Christian.  He  was  uniformly 
and  very  much  respected  to  the  close  of  his  college  life. 
He  took  no  part  in  the  follies  of  young  students,  and 
never  descended  to  any  thing  unmanly  or  improper, 
while  he  was  kind  and  complaisant,  and  took  part 
in  the  pleasantries  of  others. 

I  believe  that  he  was  absent  every  winter,  teaching 
school,  which  laid  him  under  some  disadvantage  in  re- 
spect to  his  progress  in  some  branches  of  study.  He 
was  a  general  scholar,  excelling  in  no  particular 
branch,  except  in  history  and  English  composition.  As 
a  writer,  he  far  excelled  any  in  his  class.  His  oration 
on  the  fourth  of  July,  1794,  or  1795,  will  evidently 
show,  that,  at  that  day,  he  was  no  mean  man.  He 
wielded  a  pen  of  no  ordinary  power,  for  an  under- 
graduate. If  you  have  not  that  oration,  I  wish  I  could 
tell  you  where  you  can  find  it. 

Some  of  his  class  complained  that  he  did  not  asso- 
ciate with  his  clasmates,  as  others  did,  and  imputed  it 
to  something  wrong  in  his  feelings.  Without  the  need 
of  any  such  imputation,  I  can  account  for  his  course, 
by  believing  him  when  at  college  a  closer  student  than 
most ;  and  that  his  most  intimate  acquaintances,  be- 
fore he  entered  college,  were  members  of  the  forward 
classes  ;  and  it  was  perfectly  natural  for  him,  to  cher- 
ish and  strengthen  those  former  friendships,  which 
were  stronger  and  dearer  than  any  he  could  form  in 
his  class,  where  most  had  been  strangers. 

Your  father  had  no  small  share  of  facetiousness,  but 
never  indulged  it  to  the  wounding  of  others'  feelings,  or 
the  sacrifice  of  Christian  character,  courtesy,  or  propri- 
ety of  conduct.  His  intercourse  with  his  friends  was 
always  pleasant  and  edifying.  When  at  a  certain 
time  w^e  were  dining  at  a  friend's  house,  with  other 
company,  before  the  pie-plant  was  in  much  use,  the 
gentleman  of  the  house  inquired  of  a  young  man  at 
the  table,  whether  he  would  take  some  rhubarb  ? 
'  Rhubarb,  Sir  I '  hesitating  whether  to  accept  it.   Your 


124  MEMOIR    OF 

father  very  pleasantly  said  to  his  young  friend,  '  Don^t 
be  afraid  of  it,  my  brother,  I  think  it  will  do  you  no 
harm.' 

After  all  I  have  put  upon  this  sheet,  I  may  not  have 
communicated  anything  to  answer  in  any  good  meas- 
ure, your  expectations. 

Yours,  with  much  affection  and  respect, 

Thomas   Snell. 

While  there  was  no  revival,  at  Hanover,  when  Dr. 
Worcester  was  in  college,  the  students  were  mostly 
from  families  or  social  connections,  which  were  favor- 
able to  right  views  of  Christian  doctrine  and  practice. 
The  danger  from  skeptical  speculations  or  from  "  a 
dead  orthodoxy  "  was  very  much  less,  than  in  either  of 
the  older  New  England  colleges.  And  although  there 
was  no  remarkable  season  of  religious  awakening,  for 
seventeen  years,  after  1788,  the  classes  of  Dartmouth 
furnished  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  most  evangel- 
ical and  most  useful  of  the  ministers  of  New  England. 

With  his  room-mate, — since  honorably  known  as 
Luther  Jewett,  M.  D.,  who  is  still  living  at  St.  Johns- 
bury,  Vt., — Dr.  Worcester  was  accustomed  to  unite  in 
morning  and  evening  prayer,  from  the  time  he  entered 
college.  In  the  autumn  previous,  his  brother  Thomas 
had  been  settled  at   Salisbury,  N.  H. ;  *  and  a  revival 

*  Thomas,  when  nearly  twenty-one  years  old,  had  gone  to  work  upon  the 
farm  of  Noah,  at  Thornton,  in  the  fall  of  17&0.  It  was  the  desire  of  the  lat- 
ter to  be  wholly  engaged  in  the  ministry.  But  it  soon  appeared,  that  the 
ministry  had  more  attractions  for  this  brother  also;  and  with  a  preparation 
quite  imperfect,  he  was  introduced  to  the  pulpit.  Considerable  objection 
was  made  by  the  Ordaining  Council,  on  the  ground,  that  be  had  not  been 
liberally  educated. — Much  time  had  been  consumed.  "  Mr.  Moderator," 
said  the  father  of  Daniel  Webster, — "  we  chose  this  young  man,  Sir,  to  be 
our  minister.  AVe  were  satisfied  with  him.  We  felt  competmt  to  choose  for 
ourselves.  We  invited  this  Council,  Sir,  to  ordain  him.  But  if  you  don't  see 
fit  to  do  it,  we  shall  call  a  Council  that  unll!  "  This  speech,  with  a  lisp  in 
the  utterance,  but  with  a  determined  emphasis,  was  as  effective  as  aoy 
speech,  ever  delivered  by  the  son. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  125 

commenced  in  that  place,  very  near  the  time  of  his 
going  to  Hanover.  With  this  brother,  he  kept  up  a 
constant  correspondence,  and  received  from  him  valu- 
able aid,  in  things  temporal  and  spiritual. 

He  went  to  board  in  his  family,  in  the  winter  of 
1792-3,  while  he  taught  a  school. 

"  In  view  of  the  fruits  of  the  revival,"  the  summer 
and  autumn  preceding, — said  his  brother, — "his  heart 
was  warmed,  and  he  obtained  such  additional  evidence 
of  his  vital  union  to  Christ,  and  such  a  deep  sense  of 
the  great  importance  of  the  duty  of  making  a  profes- 
sion of  religion,  that  he  could  no  longer  refrain  from 
owning  Christ  before  men.  Accordingly,  at  a  meeting 
of  a  number  of  the  members  of  this  Church,  at  my 
house,  he  offered  himself  for  examination,  in  respect 
to  the  reason  of  the  hope  which  was  in  him.  And 
having  fully  satisfied  the  brethren,  that  he  was  a  fit 
subject  to  partake  of  the  children's  bread,  he,  with  a 
considerable  number  of  others,  joined  with  this  Church 
in  solemn  covenant,  on  the  18th  day  of  February,  1793. 
And  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  all  the  serious  people, 
his  relation  to  this  Church  continued,  until  the  time  of 
his  ordination  at  Fitchburg.' 


jj  * 


When  he  offered  himself  for  admission  to  the 
Church,  he  is  said  to  have  stated,  that  he  now  regard- 
ed it  his  duty  and  privilege  to  own  God  by  a  profes- 
sion of  faith  in  Christ.  He  had  not  before  felt  that  he 
could  take  upon  himself  the  vows  of  a  covenant ;  and 
still  considered  himself  unworthy  of  a  place  among  the 
professed  people  of  God.  But  if  they  could  consis- 
tently receive  him,  he    should  endeavor,  through  the 

*  Letter  to  Rev.  E.  Cornelius,  July  13,  1S21. 

Seventeen  others  united  with  the  Church,  on  that  day.  An  eye-witness, 
has  recently  described  the  scene,  as  having  been  peculiarly  impressive,  from 
the  appearance  of  the  pastor's  brother,  upon  whom  many  eyes  were  fixed 
with  the  deepest  interest. 

11* 


126  MEMOIR    OF 

aid  of  divine  grace,  to  live  in  some  measure  according 
to  the  obligations,  which  he  then  proposed  to  recog- 
nize. 

"  Our  hearts  were  knit  together,"  said  the  brother, 
who  joyfully  welcomed  him  to  the  table  of  the  Lord. 
*'  His  countenance  beamed  with  a  heavenly  expres- 
sion. A  beautiful  temper  was  habitually  manifested  ; 
and  he  daily  unfolded  more  and  more  of  meekness 
and  loveliness." 

One  of  the  earliest  evidences  of  a  greater  degree  of 
decision  of  religious  character,  was  the  apparent  pleas- 
ure which  he  took,  in  visiting  serious  and  devout  peo- 
ple, and  in  conversing  with  them  upon  personal  piety. 
When  his  brother  found  him  thus  interested,  the  cir- 
cumstance was  very  gratefully  marked.  But  so  habit- 
uated had  he  been  to  a  reserved  manner,  concerning 
his  own  religious  feelings,  that  it  evidently  required  a 
great  effort  to  open  his  heart,  except  to  a  very  few,  and 
perhaps  also  to  these.  He  had  sustained  a  serious 
loss,  as  have  many  others,  from  not  taking  more  fre- 
quent counsel  of  the  kindred  in  Christ,  in  the  fullest 
interchange  of  the  sentiments  and  emotions  of  a  pure 
and  endearing  fellowship. 

He  spent  much  of  his  time  in  vacations,  at  Salis- 
bury. He  loved  to  be  in  the  society  of  his  brother ; 
and  had  great  enjoyment  of  the  scenery.  From  the 
window  of  the  chamber,  which  he  commonly  occupied, 
he  had  one  of  the  finest  views  of  Kearsarge,  the  noble 
summits  of  which  are  but  a  few  miles  distant ;  while 
towards  every  point  of  the  horizon,  the  eye  may  be  re- 
galed with  objects  of  beauty  and  grandeur,  in  the  vari- 
egated landscape. 

In  some  one  of  his  visits  at  Salisbury,  an  incident 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  127 

occurred,  which  gives  an  example  of  what  his  brother 
called  "  a  beautiful  temper." — There  was  a  military 
organization  of  a  large  part  of  the  students,  while  he 
was  at  college.  He  took  a  lively  interest  in  this,  as 
did  many  others,  who,  in  the  disturbed  state  of  Europe 
and  of  the  foreign  relations  of  our  young  republic, 
would  not  have  been  surprised,  if  the  opposition  to 
Washington's  conservative  policy  had  precipitated 
the  nation,  into  all  the  hazards  and  horrors  of  a  despe- 
rate appeal  to  arms.  For  the  benefit  of  his  health,  and 
for  improvement  in  the  discipline  of  the  corps,  he  oc- 
casionally went  into  a  hall,  and  exercised.  This  gave 
offence  to  some  members  of  the  Church,  who  re- 
proached him  rather  sharply.  It  is  not  unlikely,  that 
they  accused  him  of  ambition  and  self-consequence ; 
not  understanding  his  real  feelings,  or  appreciating  his 
true  motives.  When  he  heard  of  what  had  been  said, 
he  did  not  treat  the  complaint,  as  if  the  effect  of  nar- 
row prejudice,  or  an  ignorant  scrupulosity.  It  was  not 
in  his  heart  to  say,  "  Why  is  my  liberty  judged  of  an- 
other man's  conscience  ?  "  But  he  meekly  observed, — 
"  If  it  is  offensive  to  any  one,  I  will  do  so  no  more."  The 
complainants  were  afterwards  much  ashamed ;  while 
others  were  no  less  gratified  with  the  increasing  evi- 
dences, that  he  "loved  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sin- 
cerity." 

In  the  military  corps,  to  which  allusion  has  just  been 
made,  he  held  one  of  the  highest  offices  ;  and  as  was 
characteristic  of  him,  he  excelled  in  the  station.  In 
common  with  mankind  at  large,  and  as  the  son  of  a 
revolutionary  patriot  and  soldier,  he  was  quite  enough 
susceptible  of  the  "  magic  poetry  of  war."  Even  in 
his  valedictory  oration,  he  took  a  view  of  war,  histori- 
cally, which  was  much  in  accordance  with  the  sympa- 
thies of  the  age.  Until  the  millennial  period  shall  come, 


128  MEMOIR    OF 

wars,  as  he  then  contended,  may  be  permitted,  as  judg- 
ments upon  guilty  nations,  and  as  powerful,  if  not  in- 
dispensable remedies  for  corrupt  and  diseased  states  of 
society.  The  internal  evidence  is  quite  conclusive, 
that  he  did  not  at  all  design  to  vindicate  or  eulogize 
the  spirit  of  ivar^  which  was  then  so  predominant  and 
universal ; — but  rather  to  entertain  the  assembly  with 
some  novel  and  original  views,  from  extended  histori- 
cal surveys ;  by  which  the  philanthropist  and  the 
Christian  might  measurably  assuage  their  griefs,  while 
contemplating  the  atrocities  and  miseries,  which  fol- 
low in  the  train  of  this  direst  "  scourge  of  God."  * 

When  near  the  close  of  the  second  war  with  Great 
Britain,  Dr.  Noah  Worcester  published  anonymously 
his  "  Solemn  Review  of  the  Custom  of  War," — a  pam- 
phlet which  has  since  been  translated  into  all  the  great 
languages  of  Europe, — there  was  no  small  difficulty  in 
finding  a  publisher.f  But  the  writer  had  few  acquain- 
tances or  friends,  who  then  sympathized  more  cordial- 
ly with  him,  in  his  pacific  principles,  than  the  brother, 
whom  less  than  twenty  years  before,  he  heard  pro- 
nounce the  oration,  on  the  "  Advantages  of  War." 
Yet,  it  may  as  well  be  added  in  this  connection,  that 
brother  was  intensely  interested  in  the  war  of  England 
and  the  allies  against  Napoleon,  which  he  believed  to 
be  most  righteous  and  unavoidable. — "  If  there  must 
be  fighting,"  he  once  said,  after  the  news  of  a  great 
battle  in  Spain,  "  I  should  like  to   have   Wellington 

*  And  it  should  not  be  forgotten,  that,  fronn  the  earliest  times  of  New 
England,  the  troops  raised  for  defence  or  for  conquest,  had  never  been  al- 
lowed such  indulgences  of  immorality  and  impiety,  as  were  so  flagrantly 
characteristic  of  European  armies.  Some  of  the  most  devout  men  were  in 
the  ranks  of  the  soldiery,  while  some  of  the  best  ministers  olTiciated  as  chap- 
lains. 

i  Published  by  Hilliard  &  Metcalf,  Cambridge,— the  week  in  which  the 
treaty  of  Ghent  was  signed. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  129 

meet  Napoleon^  each  with  about  a  Imiulrcd  tlionsand 
men;  that  we  miglit  see  which  would  have  the  mas- 
tery." His  feelings  may  be  inferred,  after  the  intelli- 
gence of  the  battle  of  Waterloo. 

These  references  to  the  martial  element  in  Dr.  Wor- 
cester, are  all  but  essential  to  a  right  apprehension  of 
the  constitutional  ingredients  of  his  character.  United 
with  no  common  degrees  of  amiableness  and  benevo- 
lence, there  was  a  natural  boldness,  a  decision  of  pur- 
pose, a  spontaneous  majesty  of  feeling,  as  if  he  had 
been  born  to  exert  a  commanding  influence  over  the 
minds  of  his  fellow  men.  While  in  college,  and  in 
his  subsequent  career,  those  who  were  much  older  than 
himself,  always  treated  him,  as  if  he  had  every  claim 
to  the  prerogatives  of  seniority.  Yet  he  ever  gained 
the  love  of  children  ;  and  those  who  knew  little  or 
nothing  more  of  him,  than  from  seeing  him  waUv  in 
the  streets  of  Salem,  retained  a  pleasing  remembrance 
of  the  "  the  mild  dignity  "  of  his  person  and  manner. 

He  suffered  greatly  from  his  unwearied  diligence, 
and  the  too  sudden  transition  from  an  active  to  a  se- 
dentary life.  His  studies  were  much  interrupted  also, 
and  embarrassed,  by  the  necessity  of  teaching  school 
to  defray  his  expenses.  His  father  could  aid  him  but 
little.  His  brother  at  Salisbury  was  deeply  sensible 
from  his  own  experience,  of  the  desirableness  of  a  col- 
legiate education  ;  and  was  so  situated,  that  he  could 
do  more,  than  any  of  the  brothers,  in  lightening  the 
burdens,  which  often  weighed  heavily  upon  his  spirits. 
He  faltered  not,  but  pressed  onward  in  hope.  In  their 
poverty,  it  should  encourage  young  men  of  talent  and 
high  aims  to  know,  that,  without  any  relief  from  char- 
itable associations,  he,  like  others,  before  and  since, 
was  able  to  surmount  all  obstacles. 


130  MEMOIR    OP 

While  "  a  general  scholar,"  as  remarked  by  Dr. 
Siiell,  he  was  thorough  in  whatever  he  studied.  He 
was  no  pretender  of  scholarship, — no  fopling  of  belles- 
lettres.  What  he  appeared  to  know,  he  knew  more 
abundantly  than  he  appeared ;  as  could  easily  be  de- 
monstrated, if  any  were  disposed  to  urge  him  to  a  de- 
fence of  a  sentiment  or  doctrine,  which  he  had  pro- 
pounded as  his  own. 

Having  before  him  a  conception  of  scholarship, 
somewhat  according  to  the  Roman  orator's  idea  of  the 
aliqnid  immensum^  infimtumque^  he  was  incessant  in  his 
intellectual  toils.  And  at  every  step  of  his  ascending 
progress,  he  acquired  fresh  ardor  for  new  exertion, 
while  his  "  Excelsior  "  was  farther  and  farther  above 
him. 

When  speaking  to  a  youth,  who  was  just  entering 
college,  and  in  whose  welfare  he  had  a  father's  own 
interest,  he  freely  remarked, — "  When  I  joined  my 
class  at  Dartmouth,  it  was  my  determination  to 
take  as  high  a  standing,  as  I  could,  consistently  with 
the  preservation  of  my  health."  It  was  one  of  his 
avowed  sentiments,  at  a  later  period,  and  it  undoubt- 
edly was  deeply  seated  among  his  early  practical  prin- 
ciples, that,  while  men  should  never  act,  as  if  to  gain 
honors  were  the  object  of  desire  and  effort,  yet  no 
one  should  shrink  from  honors,  which  are  justly  his 
due.  And  as  he  considered  it  a  sacred  obligation,  to 
make  the  most  of  his  talents  and  opportunities,  he  did 
with  his  might,  whatever  he  undertook. 

He  was  one  day  recreating  himself  at  his  favorite 
game  of  ball.  His  activity  and  dexterity  were  so  con- 
spicuous, that,  a  gentleman,  who  was  a  stranger  in  the 
place,  eagerly  inquired  of  an  elderly  man  among  the 
spectators,  "  Who  is  that  ?  "  "  That's  Worcester.  And 
just  as  you  see  him  now,  you  may  see  him  in  every- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  131 

thing.  He  is  always  at  the  head;  let  him  be  where  he 
wilJ." 

His  regular  class  performances,  as  well  as  his  more 
elaborate  special  eilorts,  were  less  remarkable  for 
sprightliness  of  fancy,  brilliancy  of  imagination,  or 
ease  and  grace  in  the  structure  of  sentences,  than  for 
sound  thought,  severe  logic,  and  sterling  sense.  His 
forensic  discussions  of  "  hard  questions,"  in  metaphys- 
ics, politics,  and  theology,  were  certainly  well  adapted 
to  make  a  strong  impression  of  his  intellect  and  his 
industry.  It  is  very  likely,  that,  in  immediate  connec- 
tion with  some  of  these,  it  was  said  of  him  at  college, 
by  some  enthusiastic  admirer  of  his  powers, — "  an  em- 
pire might  rest  upon  the  shoulders  of  Worcester^  with- 
out tottering !  " 

It  is  questionable,  wiiether  any  under-graduate  was 
ever  more  respected,  by  fellow-students  and  officers. 
His  class  once  assembled  for  recitation  ;  but  no  officer 
was  in  the  chair.  It  w^as  voted  to  proceed  as  usual ; 
— a  member  of  the  class  presiding.  The  incumbent 
of  the  chair  was  adroitly  displaced  by  some,  who  were 
lovers  of  merriment,  and  was  laid  awkwardly  upon  the 
floor,  amidst  shouts  of  the  ridiculous.  Another  and 
another  shared  a  similar  destiny.  "  I  move,"  said  one, 
"  that  Worcester  take  the  chair."  The  vote  being  de- 
clared, he  walked  to  the  chair  and  took  his  seat.  The 
recitation  proceeded  in  due  order,  as  at  other  times. 

It  was  in  his  senior  year,  or  July  4,  1795,  that  he 
delivered  the  oration,  to  which  a  reference  has  been 
made  by  his  classmate.  Dr.  Snell.  It  has  been  de- 
scribed, as  "  an  uncommon  specimen  of  just  thought 
and  splendid  diction,  in  the  Johnsonian  style."* 

*  It  was  printed  by  request,  under  the  title  of—"  An  Oration  Delivered,  at 
the  Colleg-e  Chapel,  on  the  Aniversary  of  American  Independence,  July 
Fourth,  179-5.  By  Samuel  Worcester,  Member  of  the  Senior  Class,  in 
Dartmouth  University,"  &c. 


132  MEMOIR    OF 

How  far  this  remark  was  correct,  or  what  might 
otherwise  be  said,  may  now  be  seen  in  the  oration  it- 
self, which  is  here  inserted,  without  abridgment  or 
alteration.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind,  that  it  was 
delivered,  when  the  author  had  been  only  four  years 
and  two  months,  from  the  labors  of  the  farm  ;  and  that 
he  had  previously  enjoyed  no  other  literary  advantages, 
than  those  which  have  been  described.  As  compared 
with  his  oration,  at  New  Ipswich  Academy,  Oct.  11th, 
1791,  it  shows  the  progress  of  his  mind,  in  various  as- 
pects ;  while  it  is  not  without  value,  as  a  popular  ex- 
pression of  pati'iotic  sentiment  and  feeling,  nineteen 
years  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

"  The  universe  consists  of  a  vast  gi-adation  of  be- 
ings. From  the  lowest  instinct  to  the  highest  created 
intelligence  are  intermediate  orders,  in  a  regularly 
graduated  succession ;  each  order  constituting  a  distinct 
link  in  the  gi'eat  chain,  and  altogether  composing  one 
stupendous,  systematic  whole.  At  the  head  of  this 
gradation,  on  earth,  is  man.  Raised  by  the  fiat  of 
Omnipotence  to  pre-eminence  in  this  lower  creation, 
he  is  invested  with  a  dominion  over  ah  the  tribes  of 
animated  nature.  Earth,  ah',  and  sea,  with  all  through- 
out this  wide  domain,  lay  their  homage  at  his  feet,  and 
move  in  subserviency  to  his  purposes.  The  whole 
race,  however,  occupies  but  a  single  grade  in  the  gen- 
eral scale  ;  and  they  drop  from  the  all-creative  Hand 
into  a  state  of  perfect  equality.  Every  individual, 
upon  whom  the  God  of  nature  has  impressed  the  stamp 
of  humanity,  is  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  preroga- 
tives of  man.  All,  therefore,  being  naturally  in  a  state 
of  equal  freedom  and  independence,  ought  to  regard 
each  other,  as  brethren,  and  fellow-sovereigns  of  the 
world. 

Yet  such  has  been  the  prevalence  of  ambition,  such 
the  lust  of  domination,  that  man  has,  time  immemo- 
rial, invaded  the  rights  of  man,  assumed  prerogatives, 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  133 

in  defiance  of  the  laws  of  nature,  and  arrof]^ated  a  sove- 
reignty over  his  fellows;  a  sovereiij^nty,  which  belongs 
only  to  the  Sui)reme  Governor  of  the  nniver.se.  Jh^nce 
originated  imaginary  gradations  among  men, — hence 
the  distinetions,  lords  and  vassals,  masters  and  slaves; 
hence  the  doctrine  of  servile  submission  of  the  many 
to  the  few. 

This  assumption  of  power,  this  violent  invasion  of 
imprescriptible  rights,  laid,  at  an  early  period,  a  found- 
ation for  all  the  revolutions,  which,  dm*ing  the  pro- 
gress of  humanity,  have  deranged  the  features  of  the 
social  and  political  world.  Nature  has  made  provision 
against  the  violation  of  her  laws,  and  the  confusion  of 
her  system,  by  inspiring  her  whole  ofl'spring  with  in- 
vincible abhori'ence  of  degi'adation  from  the  rank,  in 
which  she  has  placed  them.  Usurpers,  therefore,  have, 
in  all  ages,  met  with  opposition  ;  an  opposition  found- 
ed on  the  eternal  principles  of  right,  and  the  feelings 
of  the  human  heart.  Ever  since  the  standard  of  tyran- 
ny w^as  erected  on  the  plains  of  Shinar,  the  contest  be- 
tween right  and  prerogative  has  been  agitated,  with 
unremitting  violence  and  devastation.  This  contest 
has  involved  the  most  tragical  scenes,  which  have  ever 
been  exhibited  on  the  theatre  of  nations.  By  this,  the 
garden  of  natm-e  has  been  converted  into  a  field  of 
blood ! 

To  support  their  usurpation,  and  advance  the  cause 
of  arbitrary  sway,  the  despots  of  the  world  have  ex- 
hausted all  the  resources  of  artifice,  as  well  as  force. 
Too  w^ell  have  they  know^n,  that  science  and  the  relig- 
ion, which  is  delineated  in  the  volumes  of  nature  and 
revelation,  ever  range  themselves  under  the  banners  of 
liberty  ;  and  that  ignorance  and  superstition  furnish 
the  ground,  upon  which  the  foundations  of  tyranny  are 
consolidated.  Hence  they  have  employed  every  pos- 
sible means  to  darken  and  terrify  the  w^orld.  The 
mysteries  of  paganism,  the  doctrines  of  the  Koran, 
and  the  thunders  of  the  conclave,  have  been  plied,  as 
engines  of  despotism,  till  mankind  was  reduced  to  a 
state  of  meanness  and  servility,  infinitely  below  the 
dignity  of  the  human  character,  and  the  way  prepared 

12 


134  MEMOIR    OF 

for  the    establishment  of  the  tyrannica]  system,  in  a 
great  part  of  the  globe. 

The  grand  contest  between  right  and  prerogative 
commenced  in  the  regions  of  the  east.  Asia,  first  in 
everything,  was  first  to  embrace  the  shackles  of  slav- 
ery. For  ages,  convulsed  and  distracted  by  perpetual 
sti'uggles,  she  at  length  gave  over  the  conti'oversy,  and 
bowed  to  the  enormous  weight  of  consolidated  empire. 
Africa  was  next  prostrated  at  the  foot  of  ambition,  and 
forced  to  resign  her  rights  and  liberties  into  the  hands 
of  petty  tyrants  and  usurpers.  The  fate  of  Europe 
was  stamped  at  the  passage  of  the  Rubicon.  Here 
we  may  fix  a  memorable  epoch  in  the  history  of  des- 
potism. It  is  easy  to  see,  that  all  the  revolutions, 
which  took  place,  and  all  the  scenes,  which  were  acted 
upon  the  European  theatre,  subsequent  to  the  extinc- 
tion of  Roman  liberty,  compose  one  connected  series 
of  events,  which  paved  the  way  for  the  consolidation 
of  a  refined  tyrannical  system,  in  that  quarter  of  the 
globe.  This  was  a  system,  which,  by  cementing  a  co- 
alition of  despots,  and  artfully  balancing  their  respec- 
tive powers,  embraced  all  the  advantages,  and  rejected 
all  the  disadvantages,  of  the  unwieldy  empires  of  Asia, 
and  the  petty  regencies  of  Africa.  This  system  was 
consummated  in  the  last  century,  and  continued  un- 
impaired, till  a  late  period  in  the  present. 

Thus  was  tyranny  established  in  three  quarters  of 
the  globe.  Asia,  Africa,  and  Europe,  sunk  under  the 
weight  of  oppression,  and  exhibited  a  dreary  devasta- 
tion of  humanity.  The  Genius  of  Liberty,  exiled  from 
the  eastern  continent,  sought  an  asylum  in  the  wilds 
of  the  new  world.  Even  here,  however,  the  celestial 
fugitive  found  but  a  narrow  residence ;  for  already  had 
the  Colossus  of  tyranny  bestrid  the  Atlantic,  and  se- 
cured a  footing  near  the  western  sun.  The  Anglo- 
Americans  alone,  of  the  civilized  world,  retained  the 
spirit  and  sentiments  of  a  free  people,  and  they  alone 
promised  adherence  to  the  standard  of  liberty. 

Britain,  at  this  time,  held  an  eminent  rank  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth, — Britain,  the  land  of  our 
fathers'    sepulchres,  the  birth-place  of  fi'eemen, — the 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  135 

pretended  friend  and  advoeatc  of  liberty  ;  Init  the  ver- 
iest chani[)i()n  of  tlie  cause  of  tyranny.  Raised  by  a 
loni2^  series  of  jirosperity  to  the  empire  of  the  main,  she 
affected  to  waft  the  terror  of  her  arms  to  the  remotest 
reabns,  and  awe  the  world  to  submission.  FJusiied 
with  recent  conquest,  and  ])bimed  with  laurels,  won 
by  her  prowess  from  the  combined  powers  of  France 
and  Spain,  she  assumed  the  nod  of  universal  decision, 
and  grasped  at  the  power  paramount  on  both  sides  the 
Atlantic.  As  from  this  giddy  pinnacle  of  false  glory 
she  looked  round  on  the  world,  she  cast  an  indignant 
eye  on  a  people,  who  presumed  to  set  bounds  to  her 
ambition,  and  hold  in  check  the  tide  of  oppression. 
Her  American  colonies,  though  steady  in  their  alle- 
giance to  the  parent  state,  had  never  relinquished  the 
rights  of  man,  nor  bowed  the  knee  to  the  Baal  of  ty- 
ranny. Notwithstanding,  therefore,  their  loyalty,  and 
their  zeal  for  the  glory  of  her  empire,  she  regarded  her 
sentiments,  as  dangerous  to  her  boasted  prerogative  ; 
and  the  spirited  language  of  freemen  gave  her  more 
disturbance,  than  could  the  whole  artillery  of  Europe 
united  against  her.  She  anxiously  eyed  the  sacred 
flame,  w4iich  they  kept  burning  upon  the  altar  of  free- 
dom, and  foresaw,  that,  unless  speedily  extinguished, 
it  would  consume  the  pillars  of  her  own  grandeur,  and 
even  the  fabric  of  despotism.  Britain,  in  fine,  regard- 
ed her  colonies,  as  the  sole  guardians  of  the  celestial 
standard,  as  the  forlorn  corps  de  reserve  of  the  cause 
of  liberty  and  equal  rights,  and  presumed,  that  to  bring 
them  to  her  feet  would  at  once  place  her  own  glory 
beyond  the  region  of  danger,  terminate,  forever,  the 
contest  between  right  and  prerogative,  and  establish 
the  tyrannical  system  upon  a  basis  never  more  to  be 
shaken.  For  this  purpose,  she  roused  and  summoned 
her  whole  might.  To  this  point  she  directed  all  the 
politics  of  her  cabinet,  all  the  resources  of  her  finances, 
and  the  whole  force  of  her  armament.  Well  collected 
and  prepared,  she  raised  her  arm  to  deal  the  tremend- 
ous stroke,  w^liich  was,  at  once,  to  decide  the  fate  of 
the  world. 

This  was  a  crisis.     The  colonists  were  struck  w^ith 


136  MEMOIR    OP 

consternation, — the  Genius  of  Liberty  lifted  herself 
from  the  earth,  on  the  point  to  revisit  her  native  skies, 
— Europe  beheld  with  amazement, — the  eyes  of  the 
universe  were  fixed  on  the  scene, — and  nature  was 
anxious  for  the  event ! — Let  them  he  sovereig-n  states, 
said  a  voice  from  Heaven ! — Let  them  be  sovereign 
states^  re-echoed  the  Colonial  Congress  I — The  voice 
reverberated  through  the  world,  and  nature  felt  relief. 
The  celestial  genius  re-alighted  upon  the  earth,  and  re- 
animated freemen  rallied,  in  crowds,  around  her  stand- 
ard. Under  her  banners,  and  the  auspices  of  Heaven, 
they  arrested  the  blow — they  triumphed,  they  confirmed 
their  independence.  Thus  the  pride  of  Britain  was 
humbled — thus  the  efforts  of  tyi'anny  were  baffled — 
thus  the  towering  hopes  of  despots  were  blasted — ^thus 
the  rights  of  nature  were  vindicated ! 

This,  my  fellow  citizens,  is  the  anniversary  of  that 
eventful  day,  which  declared  the  Independence  and 
sovereignty  of  United  Columbia — this  is  the  day  which 
arrested  despotism,  and  made  a  decisive  stand  for  the 
liberties  of  man — this  is  the  day,  which  opened  to  the 
intelligent  universe  a  new  and  glorious  succession  of 
events — ^this  is  the  natal  day  of  the  regenerated  world! 
The  transactions  of  the  4th  of  July,  1776,  are  register- 
ed in  the  archives  of  Heaven,  and  their  influence,  in 
the  affairs  of  nations,  will  be  felt  through  the  revolution 
of  ages.  The  voice  which  this  day  proclaimed  these 
States  independent,  shook  the  political  world  to  the 
centre — the  shackles  were  loosened  from  the  human 
mind — the  bulwarks  of  despotism  were  levelled  with 
the  ground — thrones  tottered  on  their  bases — and  the 
Dagon  of  tyranny  fell,  prostrate,  before  the  altar  of 
Liberty. 

Americans  I  the  declaration  of  Independence  was  the 
salvation  of  our  country.  It  was  this,  which  blew 
into  a  flame  the  almost  smothered  embers  of  freedom, 
and  roused,  from  the  vale  of  despondence,  the  genius 
of  Columbia.  It  was  this,  which  wrested  us  from  the 
grasp  of  tyranny,  from  the  iron  hand  of  oppression,  and 
promoted  us  to  an  eminent  rank  among  the  nations  of 
the  earth.     This  is  the  first  link  in  a  grand  chain  of 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  137 

event?,  which  issued  in  tlic  cst;i])lishmont  of  a  consti- 
tution, whicli  conil)incs  Ihc  wis(h)m  of  ai^es,  which  se- 
cures to  us  tlie  rii^lits,  the  privih'i^es,  and  llie  bh^ssings 
of  a  free  people  ;  and,  under  which,  this  federal  rejMiblic 
is  ra|)idly  ascending  the  heights  of  ])olitical  importance 
and  national  glory. 

Can  any  thing  be  wanting  to  awaken  our  sensi])ility 
to  the  blessings  we  enjoy,  as  the  fruits  of  our  freedom 
and  Independence  ?  Cast  an  eye  over  the  world;  look 
at  Asia,  at  Africa,  at  a  great  part  of  Europe,  and 
America.  What  a  prospect  rises  to  our  view !  A 
scene  of  oppression — a  waste  of  humanity — a  ravage  of 
nature — a  world  of  slaves.  Ye  ministers  of  benevo- 
lence, draw  the  veil.  But  turn,  my  fellow  citizens,  to 
a  brighter  scene — turn  home !  Survey  these  favorite 
States — this  pleasant  land  of  liberty — this  fairest  dis- 
trict of  creation.  See  here  a  race  of  men,  a  commu- 
nity of  freemen,  a  band  of  brothers,  united  upon  the 
principles  of  equality,  by  the  bonds  of  nature,  of  so- 
ciety, and  of  benevolence.  Here  is  happiness — here 
is  dignity,  here  is  sublimity  of  character!  Here  be- 
nignant Nature  smiles  on  her  work,  and  rejoices  in  the 
advancement  of  her  offspring.  Here  the  day  is  active, 
and  the  night  secure  ;  while,  borne  o'er  the  turrets  of 
this  western  world,  on  the  shadowy  fleecings  of  the  sky, 
Peace  beams  a  diffusive  radiance  on  the  scene,  and 
sheds  her  kindly  influence  into  every  soul.  Here  the 
forest  becomes  a  luxuriant  field,  the  desert  assumes  the 
blooming  aspect  of  Eden,  and  the  crude  materials  of 
nature  are  wrought  into  articles  of  use,  convenience,  and 
elegance  ;  while  Commerce,  from  every  distant  shore, 
rolls  to  our  ports  her  golden  tides,  which  flow  in  am- 
ple streams  throughout  the  land.  See  here  the  bright 
fields  of  Science,  trodden  by  the  frequent  foot  of  Genius, 
and  the  flowery  heights  of  Parnassus,  thronged  by  the 
votaries  of  the  Muses ;  while  even  the  peasant  lights 
his  flambeau  at  the  hallow^ed  shrine  of  Philosophy,  and 
the  meanest  religionist  burns  incense,  upon  his  own 
altar,  to  the  God  of  nature. 

The  transactions  of  this  day  are  not,  however,  con- 
fined, in  their  happy  effects,  to  our  nation,  nor  to  our 

12* 


138  MEMOIR    OP 

age.     United  Columbia  is  but  a  miniature  of  what  tho 
world  shall  shortly  be.    Already  have  the  beams  of  phi- 
losophy irradiated  the  political  horizon  of  the  eastern 
world ;  there  the  public  mind  begins  to  emerge  from 
the  gloom  in  which  it  has  long  been  enveloped,  and  to 
expatiate  in  regions  more  bright  and  more  congenial 
to  its    nature.     A    spark,   wafted    from    this  land   of 
freedom,  has  enkindled  the  flame  beyond  the  Atlantic. 
Liberty  has  again  erected  her  standard  on  the  shores  of 
Europe,  and,  from  the  brow  of  the  rampart,  demands  a 
re-establishment,  in  that  quarter  of  the  globe.     The  po- 
tent voice,  like  that,  which  ran  through  the  regions  of 
primaeval  chaos,  has,  from  the  confused  elements  of  hu- 
man nature,  called  forth  myriads  of  embattled  freemen 
to  assert  her  cause.     These,  with  the  impetuosity  of  a 
torrent,  rush  upon  the  empire  of  despotism  and  sweep 
thrones,  dignities,  and  distinctions,  into  one  general 
ruin.     In  vain  does  the  world  rise   in    arms  against 
them.     Where  is  the  monarchy  of  France,  where  the 
despotic  race  of  the  Capets?     Where  is  the  aristocracy 
of  Holland  ?     Where  the  tyranny  of  the  house  of  Or- 
ange ?     Where  are  the  impregnable  fortresses  of  Flan- 
ders ?     Where  the  ancient  boundaries  of  Spain  and  of 
the  German  empire  ?     Nay,  where  is  the  threatening 
front   and   the  boasted   arm  of  tyrannical    coalition  f 
And  still  the  tocsin  sounds — still  the  flame  rages — 
still   liberty  is  rnpunted  in  the  car  of  victory.     And 
thus  shall  it  be,  till  tyranny  has  measured  back  the 
course,  by  which  it  advanced  over  the  globe,  and  till 
the   tree  of  liberty  be  planted  in  the  place  of  every 
throne  in  the  universe.     The  subversion  of  the  Gallic 
monarchy,  the  abolition  of  Belgic  aristocracy,  and  the 
general  convulsion  of  Europe,  are  but  a  prelude  to  the 
final   catastrophe   of    the   tyrannical    system.     Scene 
opens  after  scene,  in  great  and  rapid  succession.     The 
grand  consummation  is  at  hand — the  conflagration  of 
the  political  world  ;  that  conflagration,  which  this  day 
enkindl(^d,  and  from  its  ashes  is  arising  a  new  and  more 
glorious  fabric — a  fabric  founded  on  the  eternal  prin- 
ciples of  virtue  and  of  reason. 

Hail  the  auspicious  day  !     Well  may  it  be  celebrated 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  139 

as  the  festival  of  man,  as  tlie  jubilee  of  nations.  So 
long  as  virtue  shall  warm  th("  patriot,  so  long  as  be- 
nevolence shall  enliven  the  universe,  so  long  may  the 
FOURTF[  OF  JULY  be  solemuizecl,  as  a  sacred  anniversary, 
througliout  the  world.  This  day  let  creation  assume 
her  brightest  glories.  May  those  morning  stars,  which 
sang  the  birth  of  time,  with  sweetest  music,  usher  in 
the  dawn  :  may  the  slowly  advancing  Sun,  as  he  trav- 
erses the  concave  of  heaven,  diffuse  his  mildest  in- 
fluence, and  light  all  nature  into  smiles,  while  every 
land  breaks  forth  in  songs  of  joy ! 

It  is  for  us,   Americans !   it  is  for  us,  as  the  eldest 
brothers  of  freemen,   to  lead,  in  the  solemnities  of  this 
day.     Proclaim  it,  then,  sacred  to  virtue,  to  patriotism, 
and  to  the  rights  of  nature!     Display  the  ensigns  of 
freedom,  rear  the  triumphal   arch,  blaze  upon  the  re- 
gions of  despotism,  in  all  the  majesty  of  a  free  people ! 
Throw  wide  the  portals  of  Liberty,  throng  her  sacred 
temple, — renew    the  solemn    vows  at   her    altar,  and 
swear   eternal  fidelity  to  the  laws  of  nature,  and  the 
rights  of  man  I     Rehearse  the  history  of  American  In- 
dependence.    Hail  the  rising  Republics  of  Europe,  and 
announce  to  the  world  the  prevalence  of  reason,  the  tri- 
umphs of  freedom,  and  the  downfall  of  tyranny  !     Bril- 
liancy and   exultation  become  the  day!     But,  while 
each  soul  dilates  with  joy — while  every  bosom  glows 
with  the  patriotic  flame,  and  every  tongue  pronounces 
a  health  and  fraternity  to  the  world,  let  grateful  an- 
thems, to  the  God  of  reason,  fill  earth  wnth  harmony, 
till  seraphs  catch  the  rapturous  song  !  Nor  let  us,  on  this 
joyous    occasion,  forget  that   our   Independence   was 
sealed  by  the  blood  of  thousands  of  our  fathers  and  our 
brethren.     Sacred  be  the  memory  of  Warren,  of  Mont- 
gomery, and  of  all,  who  bled  in  their  country's  cause 
— this  day  will  we  celebrate  their  virtues  and  recount 
their  achievements — this  day  will  w^e  rear  monuments 
to  eternize  their  fame  and  enshrine  their  ashes  in  our 
inmost  bosoms.     And  the  still  surviving  patriots,  who, 
either  in  the    cabinet   or   in    the    field,    asserted  and 
maintained  the  rights  of  man   and  the  Independence 
of  these  States,  shall  this   day  be  honored,  as  the  sa- 


140  MEMOIR    OF 

viours  and  defenders  of  their  country,  and  as  the 
ornaments  of  human  nature.  Especially,  let  the  man, 
who  in  war  was  our  shield,  and  in  peace  becomes  our 
guardian  and  glory,  this  day,  renewedly  receive  the 
united  acknowledgments  of  his  grateful  country.  It 
was  virtue  like  his,  my  fellow  citizens,  which  ensured 
success,  in  the  arduous  struggle  for  Liberty  and  Inde- 
pendence ;  and  such  virtue  alone  can  perpetuate  the 
blessings  of  our  Federal  Union,  and  support  that  con- 
stitution, which  is  the  Palladium  of  our  political  exist- 
ence. Let  us,  then,  rouse  into  activity  all  that  is  great, 
all  that  is  noble,  all  that  is  patriotic  in  man.  Let  vir- 
tue be  the  stability  of  our  Republic,  and  patriotism 
the  bond  of  our  political  union.  Let  us  prize,  as  in- 
valuable, the  privileges  of  a  free  people,  and  hold,  as 
inviolable,  the  principles  of  a  free  government.  While 
we  maintain  that  vigilance  and  that  spirit  of  free  in- 
vestigation, which  have  ever  been  the  guardians  of 
American  Liberty,  let  us,  at  the  same  time,  cultivate  a 
reverence  for  the  laws  and  the  constituted  authorities ; 
and  detested  be  the  wretch,  who  would  heap  unreason- 
able odium  upon  the  public  functionaries,  invidiously 
destroy  the  influence  of  merit,  or  wantonly  hurl  the 
fire-brand  of  discord  into  the  bosom  of  his  country. 
While  we  enter,  warmly,  into  the  cause  of  humanity, 
and  rejoice  in  the  success  of  our  brethren  in  arms,  for 
the  rights  of  nature,  let  us  be  just  and  benevolent  to  aU 
nations,  and  remember,  that  even  the  savages  of  the 
wilderness  are  members,  with  us,  of  the  great  family 
of  man.  And,  while,  w^ith  open  arms,  our  Federal 
Republic  invites,  to  her  bosom,  the  disti'essed  of  all  na- 
tions, and  promises  an  asylum  from  the  sword,  perse- 
cution, and  oppression ; — shall  an  unransomed  American 
groan  under  the  bloody  scourge  of  a  barbarous  Alge- 
rine,  or  an  unfortunate  African  drag  the  chains  of 
slavery,  in  the  very  sanctuary  of  freedom?  Nature 
remonstrates,  and  Nature  will  vindicate  her  ricrhts. 

Americans  I  we  are  elevated  upon  the  high  places  of 
liberty — a  monument  to  all  nations,  of  the  natural 
rights  of  man,  and  the  attainable  sublimity  of  the  hu- 
man character ;  and,  forbid  it,  Heaven  I  it  should  ever 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  141 

be  said  of  these  Confedoratod  States,  tliey  oncp  were  in- 
depiMKJeiit,  they  once  were  virtuous,  they  once  were  free. 
Forever  may  we  support  the  majesty  of  a  free  people; 
forever  may  despots  tremble  at  the  Ameriean  name  I 
INIay  we  escape  the  disasters,  which  have  befahen  the 
Repu])lics  of  ancient  and  modern  times,  and  transmit, 
inviolate,  to  remotest  posterity,  our  birthright  among 
rec^enerated  nations.  And  while,  aloof  from  the  din 
of  battle,  and  the  ravas^e  of  war,  we  survey  the  awful 
condict  between  republicans  and  despots;  wdiile  we 
see  kings  hurled  from  their  thrones,  kingdoms  torn 
up  by  the  roots,  and  empires  swept  from  the  stage; 
may  we  rejoice  in  the  ra})id  progress  of  reason,  and 
the  consequent  emancipation  of  man,  and  gratefully 
anticipate  the  day,  when  war  and  tyranny,  with  all 
their  horrors,  shall  cease  from  the  earth,  and  when  un- 
interrupted peace,  benevolence,  and  happiness,  shall 
prevail,  under  the  glorious  reign  of  Immanuel, 
throughout  the  Universal  Republic  of  the  Confederated 
World! 

An  oration  also  before  the  Society  of  "  Social 
Friends,"  was  of  high  order.  It  was  a  masterly  effort 
of  sound  reasoning  and  dignified  discussion. 

It  was  Dr.  Worcester's  aim  at  college,  to  cultivate 
all  his  powers,  so  that,  as  far  as  practicable,  he  might 
enter  upon  professional  studies,  with  a  mind  well 
balanced  and  well  furnished.  He  studied  history ; 
read  general  literature  ;  wrote  sonnets,  odes,  and  other 
metrical  compositions ;  cherished  and  improved  his 
taste  for  music ;  corresponded  not  only  wdth  relatives, 
but  with  others,  who,  from  his  respect,  his  particular 
friendship,  or  his  more  tender  sentiments,  received 
from  him,  occasionally  at  least,  something  more  intel- 
lectual and  literary,  than  the  ordinary  epistles  of  a 
college  student.  In  the  few  examples  which  remain, 
it  is  apparent,  that  he  sought  to  be  familiar  as  well  as 


142  MEMOIR    OF 

dignified,  and  no  less  playful,  than  sober  and  philo- 
sophical. 

But  in  efforts  to  acquire  an  easy  and  unlabored  ele- 
gance of  style,  his  success  was  incomplete  ;  although 
his  proficiency  has  not  often  been  exceeded.  He  had 
to  contend  with  difficulties,  which  others  have  known, 
who  like  himself  had  not  breathed  a  literary  atmo- 
sphere, from  their  childhood.  His  manner  of  writing 
accorded  well  with  the  manly  and  majestic  move- 
ments of  his  intellect ;  but  could  not  be  taken  as  a 
model  of  naturalness  and  unaffected  gracefulness.  In 
using  his  pen  at  college,  and,  in  general,  afterwards, 
he  wrote,  as  if  mindful  of  his  standard  of  high  schol- 
arship, and  fully  sensible  of  the  weight  of  a  reputa- 
tion, which,  at  all  times,  he  conceived  it  to  be  his 
duty  to  sustain,  and  which,  for  the  noblest  ends  of 
life,  he  desired  to  increase.  Rhetorically  examined, 
he  appeared  to  the  best  advantage,  when  obliged  to 
write  within  a  limited  time,  for  an  important  occa- 
sion. When  excited  or  pressed,  as  in  controversy,  or 
when  pouring  out  his  very  heart  in  appeals  for  the  be- 
nighted and  the  perishing,  the  candor  of  the  most  re- 
fined and  rigid  criticism,  had  nothing  to  say,  but  in 
unqualified  praise. 

From  the  time  of  his  joining  the  church  at  Salis- 
bury, to  his  decision  to  enter  the  ministry,  little  can 
now  be  learned  of  his  religious  exercises.  He  was 
probably  too  zealous  as  a  scholar,  to  be  eminent  as  a 
Christian.  But  his  principles  were  established.  His 
influence  was  ever  open  and  decided,  in  favor  of  that 
mode  of  faith,  which  Dartmouth  College  was  founded 
to  promote,  and  which  his  ancestors  had  so  worthily 
upheld.  And  this  alone  was  an  evidence  of  his  vital 
soundness  in  evangelical  views  and  purposes ;  for  he 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  143 

took  his  religious  j)osiiioii  before  Ihe  world,  at  a  time 
when  many  eminent  men  in  the  pn]i)it,  and  in  all 
places  of  influence,  were  very  far  from  being  cordial 
friends  of  the  theology  of  "  the  fathers  ;"  and  when  a 
large  number  of  aspiring  youth  in  all  the  institutions 
of  learning,  were  much  too  wise  in  their  "  ow^n  con- 
ceit," and  not  a  little  contaminated  and  bewildered  by 
the  atheistical  folly  and  madness  of  the  French  repub- 
lic of  1789. 

He  could  not  but  feel  the  claims  of  the  christian 
ministry.  And  it  is  believed  by  those  competent  to 
judge,  that  long  before  he  graduated,  the  bias  of  his 
will  was  secretly  gathering  the  power,  which  at  last 
was  decisive.  His  brother  Noah's  success  at  Thorn- 
ton, and  his  brother  Thomas's  peculiarly  happy  rela- 
tions to  the  people  of  his  charge,  at  Salisbury,  would 
naturally  unite  with  ancestral  recollections,  in  urging 
a  consecration  to  the  work  of  a  good  minister  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

Dec.  18,  1794,  he  WTote  a  playful  epistle  to  his  ab- 
sent room-mate,  w4iich  he  closed  with  this  abrupt 
transition : 

"  Friend  Jewett,  about  eight  months  will  launch  us 
into  the  wide  world ;  a  new  scene  will  then  open  be- 
fore us.     What ?     I  forbear.     Yom'  imagination 

will  supply  thought." 

In  another  part  of  the  letter  to  Dea.  Isaac  Apple- 
ton,  April  26,  1795,  he  says : 

"  Since  I  entered  college,  I  have  met  with  many 
perplexities,  embarrassments,  and  discouragements, 
which  at  times  have  almost  overpow^ered  my  resolu- 
tion. I  have  been  obliged  to  fight  up  against  the  per- 
versities of  fortune,  and  for  awhile  even  against  the 
parental  inclination.     But  encouraged  by  the  patrons 


144  MEMOIR    OP 

of  science  and  of  virtue,  among  whom  I  must  do  my- 
self the  justice  to  make  honorable  mention  of  your 
name,  I  have  made  head  thus  far;  nor  do  I  regret  that 
I  entered  upon  this  career.  My  father  is  reconciled  ; 
and  my  circumstances,  though  somewhat  embarrassed, 
are  not  the  worst.  I  believe  I  shall  get  through  col- 
lege— but  what  then  ?  This  is  an  important  question, 
which  I  cannot  at  present  answer  decidedly.  I  wish, 
however,  that  my  friends,  and  the  friends  of  mankind, 
may  realize  their  most  sanguine  expectations  respect- 
ing my  future  usefulness." 

Less  than  t^vo  weeks  afterwards,  he  wrote  to  his 
brother  Leonard,  at  Worcester : 

"  Dartmouth  Colleg-e,  May  7,  1795. 
Dear  Brother, — 

I  hope  that  in  some  future  time,  I  shall  be  in  a  situ- 
ation more  favorable  than  this  to  a  regular  coitcs- 
pondence  with  my  friends.  A  word  from  a  friend  is 
always  a  cordial  to  my  heart — but  month  after  month 
passes  by,  without  handing  me  a  single  letter — nay, 
sometimes  without  so  much  as  whispering  that  my 
friends  are  alive.  And  it  is  very  seldom,  that  I  have 
opportunity  of  transmitting  a  fine  to  any  place  but 
Salisbury.  Almost  every  place,  however,  has  its  con- 
veniences and  its  inconveniences,  and  every  situation 
in  life  its  advantages  and  disadvantages,  things  agree- 
able and  disagreeable.  Time  has  almost  rolled  me 
out  of  college.  I  must  soon  step  forth  into  the  world, 
and  by  divine  permission,  commence  an  actor  on  the 
public  stage.  What  part  I  am  to  perform,  and  where 
the  scene  of  my  action  is  to  be  laid,  is  yet  uncertain. 
I  sometimes  indulge  anxiety — but  on  the  whole  I  wish 
not  to  penetrate  into  the  secrets  of  futurity,  or  to  di'aw 
aside  the  veil,  with  which  Providence  kindly  conceals 
from  my  view  its  purposes  respecting  the  scenes  which 
await  me  in  life.  Hitherto  I  have  been  in  a  good 
measure  prosperous  in  my  pursuits — my  literary  ca- 
reer has  been  marked  with  circumstances,  which  I  con- 
template with  complacency — and  at  present  I  have  no 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  145 

reason  to  complain  that  Providence  is  uiildiid — orthat, 
with  respect  to  my  own  merit,  the  world  is  unjust. 
I  can,  therefore,  most  cheerfully  trust  myself  in  their 
hands  ;  and  am  confident,  that  so  long  as  I  live  for  my 
friends,  for  my  fellow-men,  and  for  my  God,  my  busi- 
ness will  be  delightful,  my  situation  favorable,  and  my 
reward  bountiful. 

I  am  not  fully  determined,  whether  to  enter  upon  a 
professional  study  immediately  after  leaving  college, 
or  to  go  into  some  productive  business  for  a  while,  in 
order  to  clear  off'  my  pecuniary  arrearages.  The  latter 
ap})ears  to  me  at  present  the  more  eligible  course,  pro- 
vided I  could  find  an  employment  sufficiently  gainful. 
School-keeping  is  the  most  common  business  for  those 
in  my  circumstances  ;  but  school-keeping  holds  out 
but  small  encouragement,  excepting  rare  instances. 
Be  so  kind  as  to  favor  me  with  your  advice  in  this 
matter,  and  communicate  whatever  you  think  may  be 
for  my  advantage. 

I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  learn  particulars  respect- 
ing your  controversy  with  Messrs.  Bancroft^  Tucker^ 
and  Thomas — I  wish  for  more  in  detail.  *  *  *  * 

I  intend  a  visit  to  brother  Noah  and  sister  Fox,  in 
about  four  weeks — expect  not  to  be  at  Hollis,  till  after 
examination,  which  may  be  about  the  middle  of  July. 
Shall  find  it  necessary  to  be  pretty  industi'ious,  as  I 
have  laid  out  considerable  reading,  and  have  moreover 
three  orations  to  write  before  Commencement. 

We  have  had  some  disturbances  in  Collesre  this 
term.  Two  have  been  expelled — one  suspended  for 
six  months — one  publicly  admonished — one  has  made 
a  public  confession,  and  several  others  have  confessed 
more  privately — all  members  of  the  Junior  class.  The 
affair  is  complicated — I  cannot  therefore  in  this  give 
you  a  just  statement.  The  friends  of  order  rejoice, 
that  government  has  assumed  energy  and  decision — 
the  high  and  spunky  are  altogether  crest-fallen,  the 
storm  has  subsided,  and  the  prospect  is  favorable. 

With  most  affectionate  regard  for  my  sister  and 
yourself,  I  am  your  brother,       Samuel  Worcester. 

Ml'.  Leonard  Worcester." 

13 


146  MEMOIR    OF 

The  question  of  his  future  course  was  now  evi- 
dently the  gi'eat  subject  of  his  private  meditations. 
A  letter  to  his  brother  Jesse  passes,  by  a  very  sudden 
transition,  from  sundry  matters  of  pleasantry,  to  the 
theme  upon  which  he  had  so  recently  written  with 
such  solicitude,  to  his  brother  Leonard,  and  to  his 
much  esteemed  "  patron  "  at  New  Ipswich. 

"  Dartmouth  College,  May  25,  1795. 
My  dear  Brother, — 

I  have  been  wishing  for  an  opportunity  to  send  you 
a  letter,  but  none  before  this  has  offered.  You  have 
doubtless  been  curious,  if  not  anxious,  to  learn  the  his- 
tory of  my  journey,  and  of  the  circumstances  relative 
to  it.  Were  I  to  adopt  the  language  of  romance,  and 
dwell  upon  every  incident  with  the  enthusiasm  of  a 
novelist,  I  might  no  doubt  swell  my  adventm*e  into  as 
great  importance,  as  any  in  the  whole  life  of  Don 
Quixotte.  But  I  prefer  the  simple  style  of  narration. 
My  horse,  you  know,  was  very  lame,  the  ways  ex- 
tremely bad,  and  my  spirits  at  ebb-tide  mark.  The 
first  night  I  lodged  at  McGaa's,  the  next  at  Concord, 
the  next  at  Salisbury,  the  next  at  Grafton,  and  the 
next  at  Dartmouth.  The  first  night,  was  very  gloomy ; 
the  second,  found  friends  and  took  coui'age  ;  the  third, 
was  in  pretty  good  spirits ;  the  fourth,  dull,  dull,  dull ; 
the  fifth,  was  all  life,  was  all  soul!  As  I  journeyed,  I 
was  sometimes  mounted,  and  sometimes  in  the  mud — 
some  of  the  time  lively  and  some  of  the  time  dull — 
sometimes  petulant  and  sometimes  pitiful.  My  horse 
hobbled  along  at  a  miserable  rate,  but  quite  as  well  as 
expected.  All  the  world  gazed  out  at  the  window  as 
I  passed  by,  and  said,  '  La  I — see  that  fellow  upon  a 
lame  horse  I'  This  last  circumstance,  you  will  easily 
believe,  administered  neither  oil  nor  ivine  to  my  icound' 
ed  pride.  However,  although  it  was  not  a  cordial,  it 
may  possibly  have  produced  some  good  efiect  as  a 
medicine. 

I  rode  on  to  the  plain  with  a  slow,  limping,  and 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  147 

raolaiK'lioly  pace  ;  but  no  sooner  had  I  alighted,  tliaii 
I  was  surrounded  with  friends  and  class-mates,  who 
gave  my  hand  such  a  cordial  shake,  and  poured  into 
my  bosom  such  warm  eilusions  of  friendly  joy,  lliat  I 
in  an  instant  forgot  all  my  disappointments,  fatigues, 
and  glooms.  I  pretty  soon  paid  my  respects  to  the 
President,  and  found  him  all  complacency.  I  next 
went  home  with  my  horse,  accompanied  with  several 
of  my  friends,  some  of  whom  were  witnesses  to  my 
contract,  and  without  much  difficulty  got  clear  of  any 
pecuniary  compensation  to  the  owner.  On  the  whole, 
I  am  rather  glad  than  sorry,  that  I  came  on  no  sooner; 
for  I  believe  that  I  improved  my  time  to  as  good  ad- 
vantage at  home,  as  I  could  have  done  here,  in  the 
then  state  of  the  college  ;  and  besides  it  saved  me 
some  expense.  Living  is  dearer  here  now  than  it  has 
been,  since  I  have  been  in  college ; — provisions  are  not 
so  plentiful  as  usual,  and  the  General  Court,  you 
know,  must  live. 

I  am  soon,  my  dear  brother,  to  be  thrown  out  into 
the  wide  world,  and  what  shall  I  then  do  ?  This  is  a 
question  which  occurs  to  me  every  day ;  and  it  is  most 
certainly  a  question  of  vast  importance.  On  its  de- 
cision depend  my  usefulness,  my  reputation,  and  my 
happiness  in  life.  But  I  am  at  present  in  a  gi-eat  and 
interesting  quandary.  I  have  no  gi*eat  desire,  however, 
to  penetrate  the  arcana  of  futurity,  or  to  draw  aside 
the  veil  with  which  Providence  kindly  conceals  its  de- 
signs from  the  eye  of  forestalling  curiosity.  Sure  I 
am,  that  if  I  live  for  my  friends,  for  my  country,  and 
for  my  God,  I  shall  not  fail  of  being  both  useful  and 
happy,  into  w^hatever  line  or  profession  my  life  may 
be  drawn. 

We  have  had  a  pretty  turbulent  season  of  it  at  col- 
lege this  term.  Upon  this  I  have  detailed  some  par- 
ticulars in  my  letter  to  our  honored  father. 

I  shall  probably  be  at  Hollis,  about  the  middle  of 
July.  I  shall  find  it  necessary  to  be  very  industrious 
this  summer,  for  besides  a  large  lot  of  reading,  which 
I  wish  to  traverse,  and  my  usual  college  exercises,  I 
have  three  orations  to  prepare  before  Commencement — 


148  MEMOIR     OF 

one  for  4th  of  July,  one  for  the  anniversary  exhibition 
of  the  Social  Friends,  and  the  Valedictory  oration  for 
my  class.  My  health  is  still  a  check  upon  my  ambi- 
tion.— I  have  bespoken  lodgings  for  you  at  Commence- 
ment.    Come  and  occupy  them. 

My  tenderest  regards  to  yourself,  to  my  sister,  and 
to  your  whole  family. 

Samuel  Worcester." 

His  state  of  mind  'wdthin  a  month  of  Commence- 
ment can  be  given  in  his  own  words. 

«  Hollis,  My  20,  1795. 
My  dear  brother, — 

The  bearer  of  this  is  waiting.  The  proposals  stated 
in  yours  of  May,  demand  my  gTateful  acknowledg- 
ments and  deliberate  consideration.  My  present  de- 
termination is  not  to  hurry  into  any  profession. 
Should  a  favorable  birth  in  the  line  of  school-keeping 
offer  itself,  I  hold  myself  in  readiness  to  embrace  it ; 
if  not,  I  propose  to  enter  immediately  after  Commence- 
ment upon  professional  studies,  most  probably  in  the 
line  of  Divinity.  Parson  Austin  is  a  gentleman,  high 
in  my  estimation.  I  think  I  could  study  witli  him, 
with  great  satisfaction  and  to  good  advantage :  in  my 
present  views,  no  place  ^vould  suit  me  better  than 
Worcester,  for  my  residence  during  the  term  of  my 
pupilage.  If  therefore  all  things  may  be  made  con- 
venient, I  shall  most  gladly  close  with  your  offer. 
Our  friends,  so  far  as  I  know,  are  ^vell. 

My  most  affectionate  regards  to  yourself  and  my 
sister. 

Samuel  Worcester. 

Ml'.  Leonard  Worcester." 

At  Commencement,  he  received  from  a  Counsellor 
in  Maine,  a  very  eligible  offer  of  a  place,  as  a  student 
at  law ;  which,  however,  he  was  now  prepared  to  de- 
cline. His  brothers  were  present  when  he  graduated, 
and   rejoiced  with  him   in  the    honors,  which   were 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


149 


showered  upon  lihn,  at  the  comi)letion  of  his  studies 
at  Hanover.  His  Valedictory  Oration  exhibited  the 
same  power,  as  had  been  so  much  admired  in  his  pre- 
vious performances.  But  amidst  all  the  scenes  of  his 
brilliant  success,  he  might  now,  in  the  prospects  of  the 
future,  have  received  the  classical  benediction : 

I,  decus,  i,  nostrum,  melioribus  ulere  fatis. 

As  a  Christian,  however,  he  had  many  solicitudes. 
Already  he  had  begun  to  feel,  in  no  ordinary  degree, 
as  is  believed,  the  constraining  influence  of  a  senti- 
ment, wdiich  may  here  be  recorded  from  his  paternal 
instructions  :  "  Every  honor  received  from  man,  is  to 
be  remembered,  as  increasing  the  recipient's  obliga- 
tions to  God." 


CHAPTER   IV. 

Studies  for  the  ministry.  State  of  the  times.  Residence  at  Worcester. 
Correspondence.  Palemon  to  Alexis.  Teaches  at  Hollis.  Preceptor  of 
the  Academy  at  New  Ipswich.  Licensed  to  preach.  First  Sermons. 
His  manner  in  the  pulpit.  Prejudices  in  his  native  town.  Oration, 
Fourth  of  July,  1796.  Leaves  New  Ipswich.  Correspondence.  Settle- 
ment at  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

This  is  a  true  saying.     If  a  man  desire  the  office  of  a  bishop,  he  desirelh 
a  good  work. 

In  a  few  weeks  after  leaving  college,  Dr.  Worcester 
placed  himself  under  the  guidance  of  Rev.  Samuel 
Austin,  pastor  of  the  First  Church,  in  Worcester.  He 
had  now  completed  nearly  one  half  of  his  life. 

Pious  young  men  in  the  colleges,  or  preparing  for 
the  ministry,  were  far  from  being  numerous.  But  his 
13* 


150  MEMOIR    OF 

Alma  Mater,  in  twenty-five  years,  had  sent  forth  more 
than  one  hundred  and  seventy,  who  became  settled 
pastors,  the  most  of  whom  were  evangelical.  "  Ed- 
wards on  the  Will "  was  a  classic  at  Dartmouth,  dur- 
ing his  college  course  ;  and  had  its  influence  in  form- 
ing the  sentiments  and  character  of  the  students.  But 
his  own  theological  opinions  were  mainly  settled  and 
systematized,  before  he  entered  college.  And  it  is  not 
known  or  supposed,  that  he  had  the  slightest  hesita- 
tion, in  deciding  upon  "  the  form  of  sound  w^ords," 
which,  in  all  essential  points,  it  was  his  duty  to  qual- 
ify himself  to  vindicate  and  promote. 

But  it  was  an  epoch  of  great  political  and  religious 
commotion,  throughout  Christendom.     In  the  Ameri- 
can republic,  "  federalism"  and  "  democracy  "  were  ar- 
rayed in  determined  conflict.     Washington,  in  all  his 
glory  of  virtue,   could  hardly  hold  the  helm  of  state. 
And  such  was  the  aspect  of  affairs  in  Europe,  from 
the   sanguinary  and  most  appalling  developments  of 
atheism   and  ungodliness   in    Paris'  and  all    France, 
that  politics  engrossed  a  large  share   of  the   attention 
of  the  American  clergy.     Most  of  these  were  staunch 
federalists.     The  sermons,  orations,  and  essays  of  Rev. 
Noah    Worcester,    and   his    younger   brothers,    were 
among  the  most  prominent  of  the  day,  and  were  all  in 
fervid  harmony  with   the  sentiments  of  Fisher  Ames, 
in  his  celebrated  Speech  on  the  British  Treaty,  April 
26,  1796.     The  political  creed  of  the  father  and  sons, 
as  represented   by   Hamilton    and   Washington,   had 
now  given  to  each  of  them   a  most  decided  political 
character,  which  continued  through  all  the  subsequent 
events  of  their  history. 

A  considerable  portion  of  the  New  England  clergy 
were  sound  or  orthodox  divines.     Nearly  all  of  them 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  lol 

had  been  liberally  educated.     Bellamy,  Smalley,  West, 
Edwards  tlie  younger,  with  many  others,  beside  Hop- 
kins,* and  the  young  "  sage  of  Franklin,"  were  more 
than  enough  to  prevent  all  the  churches  from  relapsing 
into  "  a  doctrinal  lethargy."     And  though  the  interests 
of  vital  religion   had  sadly  languished  or  otherwise 
sufl'ered,  during  the  war  which  annihilated  the  French 
power  in  North  America,  and  the  subsequent  struggle 
of  the  Colonies  for  independence ;  yet  the  majority  of 
the  churches  were  blessed  of  God  with   pastors,  who 
honestly  professed    to    be    Calvinistic.     A  highly  re- 
spectable number  were  willing  to  be  known   as   Hop- 
kinsians.     Others  preferred  to  be  called,  as  they  really 
were,  "  moderate  "  Calvinists  ;  having  no  favor  for  Ar- 
minians,  who  were  not  few,  as  commonly  believed  and 
reported.     These  last  would  have  been  disowned  by 
the  old  professor  of  divinity  at  Leyden,  whose  system, 
however,  the   patriarchal  and  learned   Robinson  pro- 
nounced— "  that  grand  choak-iveed  of  true  Christian- 
ity.^''     They  were  not  like  the  Wesleyans,  who  recog- 
nized the  supernatural  work  of  the  S])irit  in  renewing 
the  heart,  and  who  were  in  ecstacies  in  seasons  of  re- 
vival.    They  made  light  of  experimental  godliness,  as 
if  enthusiasm  or  delusion.     They  were   too  well  satis- 
fied with  the  appearance  of  good  morals,  and  reverent 
attendance  npon   public  worship.     If  they  could  pre- 
serve peace  in  their  parishes,  though   it  were  like  the 
stillness  of  the  rivers  of  mid-winter,  they  conceived, 
as  it  would  seem,  that  they  had   attained  a   most  im- 
portant end  of  their  ministiy,  and  might  die   in  hope 
of  the  recompense  of  good  and  faithful  servants. 

*  The  first  edition  of  Hopkins'  System  of  Divinity  was  published  at  Bos- 
ton, in  17y3.  The  remark  needs  quaUfication,  but  not  without  reason  has  it 
been  said,  that  "  Ilopkinsianism  in  Massachusetts  saved  the  church." 


152  MEMOIR    OF 

It  cannot  now  be  a  question,  that  some  of  these, 
the  really  as  well  as  reputedly  Arminian  portion  of 
the  clergy,  were  Arians,  Socinians,  or  Unitarians. 
They  spoke  of  Jesus,  as  the  Son  of  God,  and  called 
him  divine ;  but  thought  it  would  be  "  robbery,"  if  he 
should  be  accounted  "  equal  with  God."  A  part  of 
the  class  of  ministers,  usually  styled  Arminian,  repell- 
ed the  name,  and  would  never  have  assented  to  the 
views  of  Faustus  Socinus  ;  while  others  needed  only 
a  change  of  circumstances,  to  bring  them  into  open 
fellowship  with  Humanitarians,  even  of  the  lowest 
degree.  There  were  strenuous  efforts  to  persuade  the 
community,  that  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  are  but  of 
speculative  importance,  and  that  almost  any  differ- 
ences of  belief  are  entirely  consistent  with  real  and 
acceptable  piety.  In  short,  a  liberality  was  advocated 
and  demanded,  which  would  be  enough  to  "  liberalize 
away  all  true  religion." 

"  The  fathers  "  and  their  immediate  offspring  were 
perfectly  well  acquainted  with  the  opinions  of  Arius 
and  Socinus  ;  and  sometimes  spoke,  as  if  they  had 
fears  of  their  introduction  into  New  England.  It  has 
been  said,  that  "  there  was  no  infidel  known  in  the 
country,  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  years."  The  same 
was  true  of  the  advocates  of  what  is  now  known  as 
Unitarianism.  Dr.  Freeman,  of  King's  Chapel,  Bos- 
ton, was  the  first  to  avow  himself  a  Unitarian ;  and 
he  was  settled  in  1785.* 

*  Dr.  Morse  was  settled  at  Charlestown  in  17S0.  In  the  Introduction  of 
his  "  Appeal,"  cSce ,  he  says  :  "  During  the  last  half  of  the  year,  I  was  insid- 
iojishj  sounded,  as  to  my  sentiments  concerning- the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  ; 
and  subsequently  gave  serious  offence  to  some  of  my  brethren  in  the  min- 
istry, by  preaching  a  course  of  sermons  on  the  subject,  at  the  Thursday  lec- 
ture." In  1790,  extracts  from  Emlyn's  Inquiry,  a  thoroughly  Unitarian 
work,  were  republished  in  Boston.  The  work  first  appeared  in  the  Colo- 
nies, in  an  American  edition,  in  175G  ;  at  whose  special  desire  is  not  known. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  153 

111  the  opinion  of  Dr.  Morse,  the  all-engrossinfi;  sub- 
jects connected  with  the  French  Revolution,  delayed, 
for  some  years,  the  disclosure  of  the  Unitarianism  of 
Boston  and  other  parts  of  Massachusetts.  The  very 
fact,  however,  that  this  was  not  openly  and  honestly 
avowed,  until  long  after  its  existence,  is  of  itself  a 
witness  of  the  predominant  bias  of  the  community,  in 
support  of  Trinitarian  and  Calvinistic  sentiments. 
To  some  extent  at  least,  as  it  has  been  truly  affirmed, 
the  "  tares  were  sown,  while  men  slept."  *  But  there 
were  watchmen,  whose  trumpet  gave  no  uncertain 
sound.  And  the  impression  was  so  fixed,  that  Socin- 
ianism  or  Arianism  was  disguised  under  the  most 
popular  teachings  of  Arminian  pulpits,  that  Calvin- 
ists,  both  of  the  clergy  and  laity,  did  not  hesitate  to 
speak,  as  if  the  fact  were  indisputable. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1794,  Leonard  Worcester,  in 
whose  family  his  brother  Samuel  lived,  while  studying 
with  Dr.  Austin,  adventured,  as  a  humble  layman,  to 
address  a  series  of  letters  to  Dr.  Bancroft,  of  the  new 
Society,  on  the  subject  of  his  misrepresentations  of 
Calvinism.  In  one  part  of  the  pamphlet,  which  was 
printed  early  in  1795,  he  says : 

"  The  two  schemes  of  religious  sentiments,  which 
appear  the  most  extensively  to  divide  the  protestant 
part  of  the  christian  church,  are  Socinianism  or  Ai*ian- 
ism,  and  Calvinism.  The  former  of  those  schemes 
has,  very  extensively,  if  not  very  generally,  taken  the 
place  of  Arminianism :  and  is,  perhaps,  rapidly  paving 
the  way  to  be  succeeded  by  the  spread  of  Infidelity. 

*Just  as  Unitarianism  arose  in  the  Presbyterian  churches  of  Ireland, 
England,  France,  Switzerland,  and  Holland.  It  secured  its  ground,  before 
it  was  avowed  ;  and  thus  neither  Congregational  discipline,  nor  any  other, 
could  be  available  to  keep  it  out.  But  it  may  be  added,  if  it  had  not  been  for 
Congregationalism,  the  churches  in  Massachusetts  would  have  been  in  a 
fiir  worse  condition,  to  meet  the  crisis  which  was  fast  coming. 


154  MEMOIR    OF 

This  is  rendered  at  least  probable,  by  the  considera- 
tion, that  avowed  Deists  find  no  difficulty  in  applaud- 
ing  the  public  discourses  of  Socinian  and  Arian 
preachers.  The  sentiments  of  Socinians  or  Arians, 
and  those  of  Calvinists,  are  so  directly  opposed  to  each 
other,  that  if  both,  or  either,  of  tlie  parties,  preserve 
consistency,  no  room  can  be  found  for  scriptural 
christian  communion.  For,  nothing  can  be  more 
plain,  than  that,  of  two  opposite  schemes  of  senti- 
ments, one  or  the  other  must  be  essentiaUy  WTong.' 


There  are  not  many  among  us,  who  seem  to  be 
aware,  that  such  charges  were  brought  against  Armin- 
ians,  so  long  before  the  new  order  of  things  at  Har- 
vard College  and  the  crisis  of  1815, — when  conceal- 
ment of  Unitarianism  was  no  longer  practicable.  On 
the  other  hand,  the  defection  of  the  churches  from  the 
spiritual  standard  of  "  the  fathers,"  has  been  thought 
to  have  been  far  greater  and  more  extensive,  than  a 
more  full  investigation  of  the  history  of  those  times 
will  allow  us  to  believe.  We  may  easily  draw  a  dark 
picture,  from  the  lax  style  of  preaching  in  some  of 
the  most  popular  pulpits ;  the  discontinuance  of 
prayer-meetings,  conferences,  and  other  means  of  con- 
version and  personal  religious  culture,  in  many  places ; 
the  comparatively  small  number  of  young  members  of 
churches ;  the  abounding  prevalence  of  vain  and  vic- 
ious amusements,  with  a  rapid  increase  of  habits  of 
intemperance ;  and  the  exultation  of  the  enemies  of 
the  truth,  in  the  assured  hope  of  the  speedy  triumph 
of  infidelity,  over  the  hallowed  faith  of  Protestant  as 
well  as  Catholic  Christendom.  There  were  examples 
of  the  godly,  who  felt  like  Elijah,  when  he  fled  from 
Jezebel,  or  like  Lot  in  Sodom. 

But  amidst  the  clouds  of  that  day,  which  has  some- 
times been  described  as  if  it  were  very  dark  twilight, 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  155 

at  the  brightest,  the  sun  frequently  shone  out,  in  en- 
livening resplendence.  "  They  that  feared  the  Lord, 
spake  often  to  one  another."  They  searched  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  found  prophecies  and  promises  of  joy  and 
gladness,  which  were  utterly  incompatible  with  the 
idea,  that  Christianity  w^as  about  to  become  an  obso- 
lete system.  Strengthened  in  their  persuasion,  that 
"  the  foundations  of  the  righteous "  were  not  "  de- 
stroyed," although  "  all  the  foundations  of  the  earth  " 
might  seem  to  be  "  out  of  course," — they  united  in  a 
concert  of  supplication,  on  both  sides  the  Atlantic,  for 
the  outpom'i ng  of  the  Spirit,  the  discomfiture  of  the 
foes  of  the  Church,  and  the  enlargement  of  Zion  over 
all  the  earth,  even  to  "  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea." 
The  divine  blessing  followed  this  redoubled  fervor  of 
prayer  and  zeal  for  the  glory  of  the  Prince  of  Life. 

There  was  a  cheering  earnest  of  the  multiplied  and 
powerful  revivals,  which  were  soon  enjoyed.  And 
while  the  religious  wants  of  the  new  settlements, 
which  in  an  unexampled  manner  were  now  extending 
into  the  wilderness,  awakened  the  anxious  sympathies 
of  those,  who  feared  that  a  godless  race  w^ould  there 
be  nm'tured, — a  mighty  impulse  was  given  to  the  mis- 
sionary spirit  of  the  evangelical  clergy  and  laity. 
Plans  for  new  associations,  like  the  missionary  socie- 
ties of  Connecticut,  New  York,  and  JNIassachusetts, 
were  soon  in  agitation ;  and  in  these  were  to  be 
trained  the  men,  who  should  form  and  establish  the 
American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  INIis- 
sions. 

Christians  in  New  England  and  the  other  States 
found  themselves  drawn  into  closer  union  and  com- 
munion with  their  kindred  across  the  waters.  Through 
the  pages  of  the  London  Evangelical  Magazine,  the 


156  MEMOIR    OP 

enlightened  missionary  zeal  of  Dr.  Haweis  and  his 
associates,  enkindled  or  nourished  congenial  fires  in 
different  parts  of  oiu:  land.  It  was  by  that  publica- 
tion, in  an  eminent  degree,  that  the  way  was  opened 
for  the  London  Missionary  Society,  which  was  organ- 
ized in  the  very  month,  when  Dr.  Worcester  com- 
menced his  studies  for  the  ministry. — After  he  had 
come  into  public  life,  he  was  led  to  consider  the  day 
of  its  institution — the  twenty-first  day  of  September^ 
seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-five^ — as  one  of  the  most 
memorable  in  the  modern  history  of  the  Church.* 

It  will  readily  be  seen  from  this  review  of  the  state 
of  the  times — upon  which  an  instructive  volume  might 
be  written, — that  there  were  many  circumstances  pe- 
culiarly adapted  to  stimulate  such  a  mind,  as  Dr. 
Worcester's.  He  could  hardly  have  been  better  sit- 
uated, than  while  under  the  theological  and  pastoral 
instructions  of  Dr.  Austin.  With  good  reason  he  had 
conceived  a  very  high  respect  for  his  teacher.  His 
first  impressions  were  fully  realized ;  and  both  the 
student  and  instructor  were  mutually  satisfied.  In 
truth,  however,  the  distance  between  them  was  very 
rapidly  diminished. 

Dr.  Austin  had  studied  with  Dr.  Jonathan  Edwards, 
when  settled  at  New  Haven  ;  whose  house  was  infe- 
rior to  none,  as  a  school  of  divinity,  in  the  times 
when  Theological  Seminaries  were  unknown  in  the 
land.  Dr.  Edwards  had  a  series  of  questions  for  his 
students,  embracing  the  great  topics  of  Christian 
Theology,  and  prepared  in  the  happiest  manner  of  his 

*  The  English  Baptist  Missionary  Society  was  formed  in  1702,  or  the 
year  when  he  entered  college  ;  having  been  preceded  by  the  eloquent  and 
irresistible  exhortation  of  Carey:  "Expect  great  things  fkom   God; 

ATTEMPT  GREAT  THINGS  FOR  GOD." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER*  157 

remarkably  logical  intellect.*  From  the  subjects  of  a 
series  of  dissertations,  which  Dr.  Worcester  wrote,  it 
may  be  presumed,  that  Dr.  Austin  furnished  him  with 
a  copy  of  those  questions  ;f  while  it  is  very  certain, 
that  he  was  brought  into  very  close  connection  and 
communiou  with  the  mighty  minds  of  the  Edwardses, 
father  and  son.  In  the  brief  period  of  four  months, 
which  was  all  the  time  that  he  spent  at  Worcester, 
the  outlines  of  his  ministerial  character  were  strongly 
and  permanently  defined  and  fixed.  And  in  much 
less  than  a  single  year,  the  sermons  which  he  wrote, 
were  those  of  "  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be 
ashamed." 

It  was  no  small  advantage,  in  many  respects,  that, 
w^hile  at  Worcester,  he  could  board  with  his  excellent 
brother  Leonard.  This  brother's  standard  of  piety 
was  of  the  purest  cast ;  and  as  an  editor  of  a  weekly 
paper,  he  was  conversant  with  all  the  stirring  events 
of  the  day.  The  younger  brother  received  from  him 
the  kindest  fraternal  offices ;  but,  as  w^as  characteristic 
of  the  family,  he  chose  to  work  his  own  way  into  his 
profession,  with  as  little  dependence  as  possible,  upon 
gratuitous  assistance.  He  accordingly  took  a  school 
in  Hollis,  for  the  winter  of  179-5-6;  intending  to  re- 
turn to  Worcester  the  ensuing  spring.  It  was  other- 
wise ordered,  for  his  discipline. 

The  friendships,  which  he  had  formed  in  college, 
were  cherished  with  an  uncommon  faithfulness.  With 
his  room-mate  particularly,  he  maintained  a  very  af- 
fectionate  and  profitable  correspondence.     And  that 

*  In  reasonings  it  is  well  understood,  that  the  younger  Edwards  was  even 
superior  to  "the  prince  of" divines," — as  Chalmers  styled  the  father. 

t  This  is  known  to  have  been  done  by  another  eminent  pupil  of  the  same 
teacher, — Rev.  Asahel  Hooker,  of  Farmington,  Conn.,  who  had  the  privi- 
lege of  instructing  such  men  as  Drs.  Woodbridge,  Tyler,  and  Humphrey. 

14 


158  MEMOIR    OF 

higher  benefits  might  be  secured,  than  those  merely  of 
social  and  fraternal  intercourse,  he  sought  to  induce 
two  others  to  join  him  and  his  friend  Jewett,  in  a 
novel  experiment  of  epistolary  writing ;  of  which  no 
better  idea  can  be  given,  than  that  it  appears  to  have 
been  intended  to  answer  the  same  general  purpose  for 
themselves  privately,  as  is  now  so  extensively  accom- 
plished for  the  public,  by  the  "correspondence"  of  the 
leading  newspapers  of  our  day. — These  four  class- 
mates wrote  to  each  other,  under  fictitious  signatures. 
A  few  of  the  Numbers  of  "  Palemon  "  will  show  what 
was  attempted  by  the  projector  of  the  experiment. 
But  he  never  had  the  time  at  command,  to  realize  his 
own  conception  of  the  expected  advantage. — It  may 
be  pleasant,  also,  to  compare  "  Palemon  to  Alexis,*' 
with  "  S.  Worcester  to  Luther  Jewett,"  in  the  unre- 
served freedom  of  his  ordinary  style  of  letter-writing. 

To  Mr,  Luther  Jewett 

"  Worcester^  Nov.  3,  1795. 
My  Friend, — 

I  know  your  candor  and  friendship  have  engaged 
you  to  cast  about  for  every  possible  apology,  and  am 
conscious  to  myself  of  not  having  acted  an  unfriendly 
part ;  yet  I  cannot  but  feel  sensible  regi-et,  that  I  have 
been  obliged  so  long  to  delay  an  answer  to  yom*  favor 
of  the  27th  September. 

******** 

You  expressed  some  concern,  in  the  cover  to  your 
above-mentioned  letter,  lest  it  should  appear,  that 
some  imprudences  had  escaped  your  pen  ;  but  be  sure, 
I  found  nothing  but  the  grateful  language  of  an  in- 
genuous heart.  Your  remarks  were  friendly,  judicious, 
and  important.  The  present  is  a  day  of  inquiry,  of 
controversy,  and  of  licentious  speculation  ;  the  chris- 
tian world  is  divided  and  subdivided  into  sects  and 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  159 

denominations  almost  innumerable  ;  yet  numerous  as 
they  are,  there  is  scarce  a  scheme  of  sentiments  ex- 
tant, wliich  is  not  advocated  by  champions  who  wield 
the  pen  of  controversy  with  dexterity  and  effect. 
What  confidence  then  can  we  repose  in  the  opinion 
of  "  great  men  ;" — whom  shall  we  set  up  as  the  stand- 
ard;— whom  shall  we  call  father? — "To  the  law  and 
to  the  testimony " — here  and  here  only  can  we  fmd 
authorities,  on  which  we  may  repose  securely. 

You  know,  my  friend,  the  outlines  of  my  scheme  of 
theological  sentiments.     I  have  not  yet  seen  occasion 
to  alter  essentially.     I  shall  doubtless  be  called  a  Hop- 
kinsian  ;  yet  certainly  I  know  no  man,  with  whom  I 
fully  accord  in  opinion.    You  wish  me  to  "  adopt  Hop- 
kinsian  arguments,  but   Arminian  manners."     I  trust, 
I  am  not  altosjether  an  idle   observer  of  the  different 
manners,  exhibited  by  gentlemen  of  the   cloth,  of  dif- 
ferent persuasions  ;  neither  am  I  insensible  of  the  in- 
fluence of  manners,  especially  with  the  great  body  of 
the  common  people.     I  cannot  say,  that  I  am   alto- 
gether well  pleased  with  the  manners  of  the   Hopkin- 
sian  clergy  ;  but  you  will  excuse  it,  if  I  differ  so  much 
from  you,  as  to  think  them  at  least  as  unexceptiona- 
ble as  those  of  the   Arminians.     A  rigid  austerity  of 
manners  has  something  in  it  forbidding  and  disgust- 
ing ;  and  is,  I  think,  by  no  means  well  calculated  to 
recommend  the  mild  doctrines  and  tender  sentiments 
of  our  divine    Master.     But  that  levity  of  manners, 
which  but  too   evidently  characterizes  the   Arminian 
clergy,  appears  to   me  directly  calculated  to   destroy 
every  sentiment  of  respect  for  religion  in  its  ministers. 
I  am  fully  persuaded,  that  genuine  urbanity  is  essen- 
tial to  the  perfection  of  the  clerical  character.     A  cler- 
gyman ought  to  be  a  gentleman.     Do  we  find  no  gen- 
tlemen among  the   Hopkinsians  ?     Must  we  look  to 
the   Arminians  for  a  model  ?     I   think   not.     If  the 
Hopkinsians,  as  a  body,  are  too  austere ;  are   not  the 
Arminians  too  loose  ? 

"  I  venerate  the  man,  whose  heart  is  warm, 

Whose  hands  are  pure,  whose  doctrine  and  tvhose  life 

Coincident,  exhibit  lucid  proof, 

That  he  is  honest  in  the  sacred  cause." 


160  MEMOIR    OF 

I  find  that  I  have  not  afforded  myself  room  nor 
time,  to  write  half  so  much  as  I  wish ;  but  hope  to 
write  again  soon. 

Yours,  most  cordially, 

Samuel  Worcester." 

"  Nov.  4,  1795. 
Friend  Luther, — 

Yours  of  the  1st  instant  has  this  moment  come  to 
hand.  I  am  glad  to  meet  with  you  in  so  pleasant  a 
mood.  Your  raillery  has  a  good  effect  upon  my  spirits, 
and  produces  a  very  pleasing  agitation  in  that  corn- 
pages  of  attractive  centres^  my  brain.  But  by  the  by, 
I  suspect  you  have  not  adopted  the  Priestleian  scheme ; 
otherwise  you  could  not  have  supposed,  that  either 
you  or  myself  must  be  so  great  a  heterocl — ,  I  dont 
know  whether  it  is  y  or  ite^  in  nature,  as  is  suggested 
in  your  letter. — But  to  the  point ; — you  may  be  sure 
that  I  will  "  bring  my  thoughts  to  mortal  concerns," 
whenever  I  can  by  so  doing  oblige  a  friend ;  and 
therefore  without  any  metaphysical  subtleties,  or  ab- 
stract speculations,  I  answer,  it  is  clearly  and  sincerely 
my  opinion,  not  barely  my  opinion  either,  but  it  is  a 
provable,  (I  dont  know  as  there  is  such  a  word  in  the 
Dictionary,  but  there  ought  to  be,)  certainty,  that  it  has 
been  the  uniform  practice  of  myself,  and  of  all  good 
and  orthodox  pedagogues,  within  the  circle  of  my  ac- 
quaintance, to  reckon  five  and  a  half  days  to  one  week, 
four  weeks  to  one  month,  and  three  months  to  one 
quarter,  school-time.  And  I  most  earnestly  recommend 
it  to  you,  as  you  regard  the  character  of  a  good  and 
accepted  brother  of  the  honorable  fraternity  (I  know 
this  is  to  you  an  opprobrious  term,  but  I  dont  think  of 
any  better)  of  pedagogues,  to  contend  zealously  for  their 
rights,  and  not  to  depart  //*o;?z  the  good  old  way. 
Yours,  affectionately, 

Samuel  Worcester." 

Write  every  week  and  I 

Mr.  Luther  Jewett.  You  will  excuse  the  supernu- 
merary t. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  161 

Mr.  Lutlicr  Jewett. 

"  Worcester^  Dec.  5,  1795. 
My  Friend, — 

I  am  almost  dead.     I  have  been  attendin<]^  the  long 

expected  trial   of  tlie  cause  of  the   Rev.    ]VIr.  C , 

versus  his  cidevant  parish  in  Sutton,  till  I  am  tired 
out  and  out.  You  have  doubtless  heard  something  of 
the  merits  of  the  cause,  and  most  probably  have  made 
up  something  of  a  judgment  upon  it:  but  I  presume 
the  half  has  not  been  told  you.  I  assure  you  it  was 
the  most  complicated  and  perplexing  aflair,  I  ever  at- 
tended to.  I  was,  however,  not  at  a  loss  in  my  mind, 
how  I  should  have  given  the  verdict;  but  the  jury 
have  determined  it  against  me.  Perhaps  they  are 
right;  but  I  think  they  are  wrong.  I  am  fully  of 
opinion,  how^ever,  that  Mr.  C.  ought  not  to  have  ap- 
pealed to  Caesar.  A  clergyman  figures  but  poorly  in 
a  Court  of  Justice.     But  I  wave  the  matter. 

Yours  of  the  28th  ult,  I  received  very  gratefully. 
Everett,  you  say,  soars  and  grasps.  So  let  him  do. 
Let  those  be  great  who  will ;  perhaps,  however,  he 
may  sometimes  stoop  to  converse  with  such  pigmy 
mortals  as  you  and  me.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  need 
make  no  derangement  in  our  general  plan ;  we  can  do 
something,  if  nobody  else  should  join  us.  Your  que- 
ries, I  answer  in  the  affirmative.  Your  letter  is  to  the 
point ;  not  so  very  stiff  either.  We  must  be  careful 
to  have  room  for  improvement,  lest  w^e  should  grow 
discouraged.  I  intend  to  write  once  before  I  leave 
this  place ;  but  as  I  am  about  winding  up  my  time 
here  for  this  season,  I  can  promise  nothing  certain. 
You  are  going  to  Boston ;  that  will  be  a  good  post  of 
observation,  for  "  Boston  folks  are  full  of  notions." 
Whatever  may  be  the  case  with  posterity,  for  pinge- 
mus  in  aetenum,  I  expect  to  be  a  gainer  by  this  busi- 
ness. For  I  shall  not  only  have  the  amusement  and 
improvement,  which  your  letters  will  afford ;  but  I 
shall  feel  myself  obliged  to  do  something  for  the 
amusement  and  improvement  of  others.     And  what 

14* 


162  MEMOIR    OP 

we  are  obliged  to  do,  we  can  do.  You  will  leave 
Lancaster,  about  the  time  that  I  shall  be  on  my  way 
to  Hollis.  Perhaps  I  shall  see  you,  and  perhaps  not. 
Let  me  know  precisely  what  time  you  will  change 
your  place  of  residence ;  perhaps  it  may  have  some 
influence  in  governing  my  movements  ;  for  I  wish  to 
see  you,  if  possible. 

Chauncy  has  almost  turned  your  brain.  Read  Dr. 
Edwards,  and  he  will  bring  you  to  a  proper  bearing. 
Chauncy  was  certainly  an  ingenious  writer ;  I  confess 
he  perplexed  me.  But  his  works  beam  darkness 
rather  than  light ;  his  system  cannot  stand.  If  it  can, 
I  am  safe  ;  if  it  cannot,  how  wofully  must  some  be 
disappointed. 

Yours,  unfeignedly, 

Samuel  Worcester." 

iVb.  L 

«  Worcester,  Dec.  24,  1795. 
My  dear  Alexis, — 

JNIy  business  and  character  are  such  as,  you  very 
well  know,  will  not  introduce  me  into  company  of  all 
kinds  ;  and  of  course  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  I 
should  be  initiated  into  all  the  mysteries  of  custom  and 
fashion.  To  this,  indeed,  I  advance  no  pretensions. 
Yet  I  hold  it  as  certain,  that  every  one,  who  means  to 
make  head  in  the  world,  and  to  render  himself  emi- 
nently useful  in  any  public  station,  ought  to  be  an 
attentive  observer  of  men  and  manners.  During  my 
short  residence  in  this  place,  I  have  considered  myself 
rather  as  a  spectator,  than  as  an  actor  in  the  scenes  of 
the  village.  From  what  I  have  seen  and  otherwise 
learned,  I  believe  Worcester  to  be  in  as  flourishing  a 
state,  as  any  town  or  village  within  my  knowledge. 
The  people  are  generally  industrious  and  economical. 
An  idle  person  is  seldom  to  be  found,  and  sure  to  be 
regarded  as  infamous  and  contemptible.  Of  course, 
scenes  of  riot,  frolic,  and  dissipation  are  here  very  rare. 
Gentlemen  of  the  first  families  are  men  of  business  in 
some  laudable  and  productive  occupation  ;   and  ladies 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  1G3 

of  the  first  quality  are  not  ashamed  of  industry.  Those 
of  any  reputation  among  the  k)\ver  chisses,  will  emu- 
late the  example  of  their  superiors.  Every  tiling 
ineom})atible  with  business  is  therefore  disreputable, 
and  the  pernieious  effects  of  idleness  are  scarcely  dis- 
cernible. 

No  })lace  is  wholly  exempt  from  animosity  and  col- 
lision, and  in  this,  two  causes  have  especially  operated 
to  })romote  them  ;  the  splendor  of  the  street^  and  the 
existence  of  two  parishes  of  very  ditlerent  religious 
persuasions.  So  long  as  shadows  are  of  more  account 
than  substances,  and  reality  is  less  regarded  than  show, 
none  will  be  willing  that  others  should  appear  better 
than  themselves.  No  w^onder,  then,  that  those  without 
the  street  should  look  upon  those  within,  with  some 
degree  of  envious  obliquity  ;  and  no  wonder  that  the 
town  Grammar  School,  which  might  have  added 
something  to  the  street,  w^as  hauled  into  an  obscure 
corner,  about  two  miles  from  the  centre  of  business 
and  population.  And  no  one,  almost,  knows  so  little 
of  rehgious  controversy  as  to  be  ignorant  of  its  un- 
happy eftects  in  neighborhood  and  society.  It  is 
especially  to  be  expected,  that  animosity  will  rise 
high,  w^iere  the  ground  of  dissension  is  of  a  nature  so 
serious  as  it  is  here.  Mr.  Austin,  the  pastor  of  the 
First  Church  in  this  place,  is  what  they  call  an  IIop- 
kinsian,  among  Calvinists.  His  church  is  built  upon 
a  thoroughly  Calvinistic  creed ;  and  the  most  of  his 
Society  are  very  friendly  to  the  Hopkinsian  sentiments. 
Mr.  Bancroft  of  the  other  church,  is  an  Arian,  Socinian, 
or  Deist.  The  first  formation  of  his  church  was  siniru- 
lar.  When  it  was  determined  to  erect  a  new  parish, 
and  to  settle  Mr.  Bancroft  in  the  ministry,  there  was 
no  church  found  in  the  Society.  What  tlien  was  to 
be  done?  How  could  a  minister  be  regularly  settled 
without  a  church  ?  He  could  not :  a  church  must  be 
formed.  A  meeting  was  appointed  for  the  purpose;  a 
sermon  was  preached  by  Mr.  Bancroft  on  the  occasion ; 
at  the  close  of  the  exercise,  a  paper  ada})ted  to  the 
design  was  produced ;  and  such  as  were  dis})osed  to 
subscribe,  became    church  members,  sans  ceremonie  ! 


164  MEMOIR    OP 

Some  of  all  descriptions  subscribed ;  and  a  church  was 
formed,  upon  a  creed,  in  which  the  only  article  of  faith 
is  the  authenticity  of  the  Scriptures.  This  proceeding 
was  thought  by  the  old  standing  church  to  be  irregular ; 
consequently  the  newly  formed  ecclesiastical  society 
was  not  received  into  christian  fellowship,  as  a  sister 
church  :  nor  is  it  to  this  day  acknowledged  as  a  member 
of  the  body  of  Christ,  by  Mr.  Austin  and  his  society. 
The  controversy  is,  therefore,  serious,  and  has  been 
as^itated  with  considerable  warmth.  Yet  all  this  not- 
withstanding,  there  is  as  much  harmony,  friendship, 
and  good  neighborhood  here,  as  in  any  place  I  ever 
resided  in  ;  and  the  people  are,  generally  speaking, 
peaceable,  courteous,  and  obliging.  Something  more 
particularly  in  point,  on  manners  and  customs,  I  will 
give  you  in  my  next. 

Yours,  most  cordially, 

Palemon." 


No.  2. 

"  Hollis,  Jan,  16,  1796. 
My  dear  Alexis, — 

In  my  last  I  made  some  general  observations  on  the 
town  of  Worcester,  in  which  I  wrote.  I  shall  in  this 
lay  the  scene  in  the  same  place. 

Visiting  in  Worcester,  as  in  many  other  places,  is 
attended  with  considerable  formality  and  punctilious 
ceremony.  When  a  visit  is  in  contemplation,  billets 
are  sent,  either  from  the  visitants  to  the  visitees,  filled 
with  compliments,  and  communicating  their  intention 
of  calling,  if  agreeable  ;  or  from  the  latter  to  the  former, 
requesting  the  privilege  of  waiting  upon  them.  Their 
visits  are  commonly  in  the  afternoon,  beginning  at  sun 
about  two  hours  high,  and  ending  at  evening  fall. 
Sometimes  the  ladies  are  accompanied  by  gentlemen 
to  the  house,  but  more  commonly  are  not.  Yet  when 
they  are  not,  gentlemen  often  call  in  soon  enough  to 
take  tea,  and  gallant  them  home.  And  when  this  fails, 
w*hich  indeed  is  not  unfrcquently,  the  gentlemen  at  the 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  165 

house  where  the  visit  is  made,  are  under  indispensable 
obligations  to  see  the  ladies  safely  vntliin  the  doors  of 
their  respeetive  houses.  These  visits,  if  I  may  judge 
of  the  whole  from  a  few  which  I  have  attended,  are 
not  altogether  dull  and  insipid;  but  are  enlivened  by 
conversation  in  which  is  mingled  a  good  degree  of 
sprightliness  of  thought,  pleasantry,  and  good  nature. 
The  common  to])ics,  however,  are,  perhaps,  rather 
trivial  and  uninteresting;  not  much  calculated  either 
to  mend  the  heart,  or  to  improve  the  understanding. 
Tea  is  generally  brought  forward  about  sunset,  or 
perhaps  a  little  before,  and  the  company  are  served  by 
a  waiter,  who  is  commonly  a  lad,  either  black  or  white, 
about  8,  10,  or  12  years  old.  Green  teas  have  almost 
wholly  superseded  the  use  of  Bohea;  and  two  cups  at 
a  time  supplies. 

Besides  these  set,  ceremonious  visits,  however, 
there  are  others  more  neighborly,  more  friendly,  and, 
if  I  mistake  not,  more  contributive  to  happiness  and 
improvement. 

Dancing  can  hardly  be  considered  as  one  of  the 
principal  diversions  among  the  first  company ;  but  by 
the  lower  sort  it  is  practised  abundantly.  Gentlemen 
and  ladies  frequently  collect  in  small  circles,  and  spend 
an  evening  mostly  in  conversation.  Sometimes  con- 
versation, however,  gives  place  to  other  amusements, 
among  the  principal  of  which,  are  games  at  cards, 
chess,  and  dice. 

Gentlemen  are  not  w^anting  in  their  attentions  to 
the  ladies  ;  nor  are  the  ladies  backward  in  receiving 
them.  But  when  walking  together,  especially  in  the 
day  time,  a  gentleman  seldom  offers  his  arm  to  a 
lady. 

Yours,  most  cordially, 

Palemon." 

To  Mr.  Luther  Jewett. 

"  HoUis,  Feb,  1st,  1796. 
My  dear  Friend, — 

Though  I  ^Tote  soon  after  my  arrival  here,  I  found 
no  safe    conveyance   for  a   letter  to  you,  and  till  now 


166  MEMOIR    OF 

have  not  ventured  to  lavnch  one  for  Boston,  lest  it 
should  be  cast  away.  Yours,  of  30th  December,  I 
have  received,  and  was  glad  to  find  that  the  din  of 
Boston  had  not  turned  your  brains,  nor  a  residence  in 
the  Town  exalted  you  above  the  region  of  friendship. 
My  health  is  better  than  when  I  wrote  you  last.  My 
business  is  arduous,  but,  had  I  benevolence  enough,  it 
would  be  pleasing.  It  is  certainly  much  better,  in  a 
school,  to  act  the  friendly  guardian,  than  the  jealous 
tyrant ;  to  establish  an  authority  in  the  affections  of 
the  pupil,  than  in  the  fears.  If  I  mistake  not,  my 
scholars  obey  from  love,  and  this  obedience  is  so 
prompt  and  cheerful,  that  it  keeps  my  bosom  in  almost 
a  continual  thrill  of  affectionate  pleasure. 

I  enclose  you  a  letter,  which  I  wrote  at  Worcester, 
the  contents  of  it  I  have  almost  forsfotten.  I  fear  vou 
will  think  it  hardly  within  the  limits  of  our  design  ; 
but  I  will  endeavor  to  be  more  pertinent  in  future.  I 
have  another  by  me,  but  for  certain  reasons  I  think  it 
expedient  to  reserve  it  for  another  conveyance.  Thank 
you  for  the  perusal  of  your  letter  from  our  good  friend 
Noyes.  He  is  a  good  Society  man,  as  we  both  know  ; 
and  I  think  it  likely  it  would  be  well  to  initiate  him 
as  a  member  with  us,  in  toto  privilegio.  As  for  Everett, 
I  hope  he  will  not  destroy  himself,  by  venturing  too 
high  in  an  aerial  balloon.  He  certainly  has  talents  for 
usefulness,  and  I  wish  he  may  not  reserve  them  for 
such  occasions,  as  he  will  never  find.  It  is  best  to 
improve  the  present,  and  not  embark  all  for  futurity. 

I  believe  you  will  be  surprised,  when  I  tell  you,  that 
I  expect  to  succeed  Mr.  Hubbard  in  the  preceptorship 
of  New  Ipswich  Academy,  unless,  indeed  I  should 
finally  prefer  a  situation  in  that  of  Hallo  well.  Tell 
me,  Luther,  how  shall  I  figure  after  Mr.  H.?  The 
enclosed  letter  to  Hallowell,  I  commit  to  your  care. 
Be  so  obliging,  as  to  give  it  a  conveyance  by  the 
earliest  mail,  and  set  down  the  postage  to  my  account. 
And  moreover  I  expect  an  answer  through  the  me- 
dium of  the  Post  Oifice,  as  soon  as  a  return  can  be 
made.  How  soon  that  may  be,  you  will  be  able  to 
ascertain.     Will  you  give  yourself  the  trouble  to  call  at 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  1G7 

the  OfTict^,  and  if  any  letter  should  arrive,  forward  it  as 
soon  as  possible.  I  am  sensible,  I  lay  a  })retty  heavy 
tax  upon  IViendshi}),  but  if  I  am  not  wrong  in  the 
invoice,  it  will  not  straiten  you  extremely. 

Write  as  often  as  you  can  send,  and  I  will  endeavor 
to  do  the  same. 

Yours,  in  sincerity. 

Samuel  Worcester. 


No.  3. 

"  HoIIis,  Feb.  2Dth,  1796. 
My  Friend, — 

Mr.  Smith,  junior  pastor  of  the  Church  in  this  place, 
is  wdiat  they  call  a  Hopkinsian.  He  is  high  in  the 
esteem  and  aflections  of  a  large  part  of  his  parish- 
ioners ;  but  has  many  violent  opposers,  on  account  of 
his  sentiments.  Some,  I  believe,  oppose  his  sentiments 
understandingly  ;  but  the  more  part  raise  a  hue  and 
cry  against  Hopkinsianism,  wdiile  they  know  nothing 
of  the  first  principles  of  the  system.  The  points  of 
doctrine,  which,  when  insisted  on,  create  the  greatest 
uneasiness,  are  those  of  impartial  or  disinterested 
benevolence,  personal  election,  total  moral  depravity, 
universal  preordination,  and  efficient  divine  influence 
in  the  production  of  human  volition.  Upon  these 
points  of  doctrine,  Mr.  Smith,  as  well  as  many  others 
of  his  brethren  in  persuasion,  treat  frequently  and 
elaborately.  Perhaps  they  are  dwelt  upon  too  much  ; 
certain  it  is,  they  occasion  w^arm  controversies  or  loud 
murmurings  in  this  quarter  of  the  country,  whenever 
they  are  preached. 

Most  of  the  clergymen  in  this  vicinity  are  what  may 
be  called  modern  or  moderate  Calvinists.  They  de- 
claim loudly  against  Hopkinsianism  and  its  advocates ; 
nor,  indeed,  are  Hopkinsians  wanting  in  retort  and 
pointed  animadversion.  And,  what  is  truly  ridiculous, 
each  party  endeavors  to  fasten  upon  the  other,  the 
o]iprobrious  charge  of  Arminianism.  •  It  is,  perhaps, 
dilficult  to    ascertain  the  scheme  of  sentiments  which 


168  MEMOIR    OP 

the  modern  Calvinists  Avould  wish  to  maintain.  Hos- 
tility on  their  part  seems  to  be  rather  offensive  than 
defensive.  They  do  not  so  much  contend  for  any 
tenets  of  their  own,  as  ag-ainst  those  of  their  antagonists. 
They  profess,  indeed,  to  be  Calvinists,  yet  they  vio- 
lently o})pose  the  doctrines  enmiierated  above.  If 
there  be  any  sentiment  for  which  they  contend,  it  is 
this, — that  all  kinds  of  sentiment  are  equally  com- 
patible with  the  christian  character.  They  talk  much 
of  Catholicism,  for  which  they  profess  to  be  great 
sticklers ;  and  labor  by  all  means  to  fix  upon  the  Hop- 
kinsians  the  imputation  of  illiberality  and  bigotry. 

Yours,  in  friendship, 

Palemon." 

No.  4. 

"  Hollis,  March  17th,  1796. 
My  dear  friend, — 

I  have  been  for  several  weeks  in  this  place,  employed 
in  the  business  of  school-keeping.  My  wages  are  at 
the  rate  of  nineteen  dollars  a  month,  inclusive  of  my 
board,  which  is  reckoned  at  about  seven  shillings  and 
six  pence  per  week.  Small  encouragement  indeed  ; 
yet  I  am  considered  as  a  high  priced  master.  Many, 
if  not  most,  of  the  school  districts  in  this  and  the 
neighboring  towns  are  furnished  with  masters,  at  not 
more  than  fourteen  or  fifteen  dollars  a  month.  Not- 
withstanding the  smallness  of  their  stipends,  however, 
school-masters  are,  ex  officio,  regarded  with  consider- 
able attention  and  respect;  and  their  business  is  con- 
sidered reputable.  But  if  I  mistake  not,  the  reputation 
of  their  business,  and  the  respect  annexed  to  their  office, 
are  much  on  the  decline.  Perhaps  the  principal  rea- 
son of  this  may  be  the  countenance  and  encourage- 
ment, which  are  given  to  illiterate  upstart  pedagogues. 
The  branches  attended  to  in  my  school  are  Reading, 
Writing,  English  Grammar,  Arithmetic,  and  Geogra- 
phy. The  books  most  in  use  are,  Webster's  Ameri- 
can Spelling  Book,  Bingham's  Young  Lady's  Acci- 
dence, Pike's  Arithmetic,  abridged,  Morse's  American 


SAMUEL     WORCESTER.  169 

Geography,  and  Guthrie's  Geographical  Grammar. 
These,  exce})ting  tlie  last  or  two  last,  (for  Geogra))liy 
has  not  generally  obtained  as  a  common  school  study) 
are  books  much  in  vogue  ;  not  in  this  town  only,  but 
in  the  vicinity,  and,  I  believe,  throughout  this  State. 

The  Bible,  also,  is  yet  retained  as  a  school  book. 
Besides  instructing  in  the  several  branches  abovemen- 
tioned,  it  is  expected,  that  the  school-master  will  be 
attentive  to  the  morals  and  manners  of  his  })upil3. 
Catechising  in  the  first  principles  of  the  Christian 
religion,  is  in  these  parts  considered  an  indispensable 
school  exercise.  The  Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism 
is,  therefore,  taught  in  the  school,  weekly,  on  Satur- 
days. And  it  is  a  common  practice  for  Masters  to 
open  their  schools  in  the  morning,  and  close  them  at 
evening  with  prayer.  This  practice,  however,  seems 
to  be  OTowins:  into  disuse. 

The  education  of  youth  is  a  business  highly  interest- 
ing and  important.  Let  us,  my  friend,  encourage  and 
promote  it,  to  the  best  of  our  influence. 

Palemon." 


In  his  school  at  HoUis,  he  had  some  classes  upon 
which  he  bestow^ed  unusual  attention.  He  taught,  as 
if  the  employment  was  his  delight ;  and  not  as  if  his 
leading  object  was  to  gain  his  monthly  stipend.  In 
sacred  music,  also,  he  gave  evening  lessons.  And 
accounting  his  ministerial  studies  among  his  avoca- 
tions, he  was  employed  too  assiduously  for  the  safety 
of  his  health. 

Accepting  the  charge  of  New  Ipswich  Academy, 
early  in  the  spring  of  1796,  he  entered  upon  the  duties 
with  his  accustomed  elevation  of  purpose  and  plan. 
He  now  found  himself  surrounded  by  many  congenial 
acquaintances  and  friends,  w^ho  rendered  him  every 
attention  of  respect  and  esteem.  Visiting  was  very 
common,  and  he  was  obliged  to  give  more  of  his  time 
15 


170  MEMOIR    OF 

to  sociability,  than  he  could  well  afford,  when  expect- 
ing so  soon  to  apply  for  license  to  preach  ;  yet,  if  he 
had  not  been  constrained  to  take  the  relaxation,  which 
was  so  kindly  forced  upon  him,  he  would  hardly  have 
endured  as  well  as  he  did,  the  severe  study  to  which 
he  subjected  himself. — His  industry  and  exertions 
were  quite  too  much  for  a  constitution,  which  had 
been  so  violently  shattered,  during  his  college  course. 
There  were  times  when  he  was  completely  prostrated. 
A  nervous  head-ache,  so  distressing  and  bewildering, 
as  even  to  affect  the  exercise  of  his  reason,  occasion- 
ally compelled  him  to  suspend  all  labor ;  and  made 
him  the  object  of  very  special  attention  from  one,  who 
now  above  all  others  had  an  interest  in  his  health  and 
happiness,  and  who  at  his  desire  had  come  to  New 
Ipswich,  to  enjoy  the  advantages  of  the  Academy. 

In  succeeding  a  Preceptor,  so  popular  as*  his  prede- 
cessor had  been,  he  had  no  unaffected  misgivings. 
But  no  one  better  than  himself  could  have  sat  for  the 
portrait : 

"  His  eye  was  meek  and  gentle ;  and  a  smile 

Played  on  his  lips,  and  in  his  speech  was  heard 

Paternal  sweetness,  dignity  and  love. 

The  occupation  dearest  to  his  heart 

Was  to  encourage  goodness.     Learning  grew 

Beneath  his  care."* 

He  was  beloved  by  all  his  pupils,  and  gave  no  oc- 
casion for  any  other  remarks,  than  those  of  cordial  es- 
teem. Beside  the  regular  instructions  of  school-hours, 
he  invited  all  his  pupils  to  visit  him,  at  his  private 
room,  where  he  used  to  answer  their  various  questions, 
in  the  most  familiar  manner, — encouraging  the  very 
youngest  to  make  any  kind  of  inquiries  which  might 

*  Applied  to  Prof.  Hubbard,  of  Dartmouth  College, — the  first  Preceptor 
of  New  Ipswich  Academy. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  171 

occur  to  them.  He  was  greatly  interested  in  explain- 
ing "the  globes,"  and  illustrating  every  study,  so  that 
each  of  his  scholars  might  have  definite  and  practical 
views  of  geography,  grammar,  &c.  He  is  remembered 
by  those,  who  yet  survive,  with  feelings  of  love  and 
veneration,  which  no  changes  can  ever  remove. 

It  has  been  suggested  by  one  of  them,*  that  the  in- 
fluence of  his  accomplished  predecessor  and  also  of 
the  pastor  of  the  church.  Rev.  S.  Farrar,  was  proba- 
bly very  advantageous  to  him,  in  the  formation  of  his 
public  character. 

Writing  to  his  friend  Jewett,  April  26th,  he  says  : 
"  My  school  as  yet  is  small,  but  my  prospects  are  not 
altogether  discouraging.  Perhaps  I  may  be  in  orders 
soon  ;  but  how  soon  I  cannot  tell." 

He  was  "  in  orders,"  so  as  to  preach  in  the  summer. 
At  the  very  outset  of  his  ministerial  work,  he  was 
careful  to  adopt  the  dignified  manners,  which,  as  he 
felt,  well  became  his  office.  His  brother  Thomas  had 
preceded  him,  in  the  use  of  "  the  bands,"  and  some 
other  badges,  by  which  the  clergymen  of  that  day 
sought  to  increase  the  influence  of  their  calling.  He 
followed  the  example,  which  he  had  had  at  Salisbury 
and  in  other  places.  And  thus,  perhaps,  he  innocently 
gave  occasion  for  some  remarks,  as  if  he  thought  rather 
too  highly  of  his  own  personal  consequence. 

His  first  sermon  was  from  the  words  :  "  Rejoice 
evermore."  1  Thes.  v.  16. — It  was  preached  at  New 
Ipswich,  according  to  his  own  memorandum, — "  Sun- 
day, July  24,  1796." — There  is  a  rich  vein  of  scriptural 
sentiment,  running  through  the  whole;  and  which 
may,  doubtless,  be  considered  as  reflecting  the  image 

*  Hon.  T.  Farrar,  whose  uncle,  the   Rev.  Mr.   Farrar,  was  thoroughly 
evangelical  in  his  sentiments,  according  to  the  standard  of  Edwards. 


172  MEMOIR    OP 

of  his  own  prevailing  cheerfulness  of  spirit.     He  was 
never  a  gloomy  Christian  or  a  desponding  preacher. 

"  In  the  prosecution  of  our  subject,"  he  says,  "  we 
shall 

I.  Endeavor  to  show,  that  it  is  a  duty  particularly 
enjoined  upon  the  people  of  God  to  be  joyful. 

II.  Offer  some  reasons  why  Christians  should  re- 
joice evermore.     And 

III.  Shut  vp  the  subject  with  some  practical  infer- 
ences and  reflections."  * 

The  second  sermon  was  from  Ezekiel  xviii.  31. — 
"  Why  will  ye  die  ?"  Written  as  it  was,  in  less  than 
ten  months  after  he  graduated,  it  would  be  pronounced 
by  the  critical  a  very  successful  production.  But  a 
more  elaborate,  more  intellectual  effort  was  made  in 
his  third  discourse,  according  to  his  mark,  and  which 
required  both  parts  of  the  day,  for  its  delivery.  It  was 
on  the  favorite  subject  of  Hopkinsians, — "  disinterested 
benevolence."  The  three  subjects  of  his  first  sermons 
were,  by  an  undesigned  coincidence  no  doubt,  a  very 
characteristic  expression  of  the  feelings  of  his  heart. 
The  sentiments,  to  which  he  gave  an  earnest  utter- 
ance, were  those  which  he  cherished  to  the  latest  hour 
of  his  life. 

"  I  heard  him  the  first  Sabbath,  at  Brookline,"  says 
an  impartial  witness.  "  It  was,  I  believe,  the  second 
time  he   ascended   the  pulpit.     His  sermon  was  an 

*  The  reader  may  not  have  needed  the  italics  in  the  third  division,  to 
catch  his  eye,  and  fasten  it  upon  the  phrase,  which  was  probably  used  in 
this  sermon  only.  It  was,  perhaps,  borrowed  from  the  passage — "  shut  iip 
unto  the  faith,''''  (Jcc,  and  may  have  been  thought  to  have  the  merit  of  origi- 
nahty.  To  such  errors  of  taste,  the  greatest  minds  are  most  liable.  In  a 
young  man,  they  are  often  among  the  brightest  signs  of  promise.  They  are 
the  experiments  of  a  laudable  emulation,  which  most  effectually  lead  to 
purer  forms  of  literary  excellence.  It  is  not  the  wisest  criticism,  which  is 
prompt  to  make  a  man  "  an  offender  for  a  word." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  173 

illustration  of  tlie  text, — '  Love  is  the  falfilling  of  the 
law.'  The  whole  performance  was  in  the  style  and 
manner  of  a  solid  divine ;  not  captivating  to  the  com- 
mon mass,  but  a  feast  to  those  who  had  understand- 
ing to  a})preciate  what  was  set  before  them. — Some 
thought  his  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  affected;  others 
said,  *  It  is  his  natural  way,'  to  which  it  was  once 
replied,  '  Then  I  would  not  have  a  natural  way.' 
This  impression,  however,  wore  off,  as  people  became 
accustomed  to  him." 

The  peculiarity  of  his  manner  has  been  tlius  de- 
scribed. "  It  commenced  by  lifting  up  the  eyes  and 
chin,  including  a  slight  throwing  back  of  the  head ; 
accompanying  this  a  small  smack  of  the  lips ;  then  a 
straightening  of  the  arms,  throwing  open  of  the  right 
hand,  sometimes,  also,  of  the  left,  with  an  inward  and 
backward  motion  of  the  fingers.  Sometimes  a  part 
of  this,  but  not  the  whole.  He  was  probably  uncon- 
scious of  it  himself.  His  people  at  Salem  made  no 
account  of  it ;  but  there  were  those  in  his  native  town 
to  whom  it  was  exceedingly  offensive." 

This  description,  although  very  true  as  a  part  of  the 
likeness,  yet  more  resembles  a  portrait,  in  which  are 
seen  in  bold  relief  all  the  less  agreeable  features  of  the 
original,  but  none  of  the  expression  of  the  marked 
countenance.  It  should  be  understood,  as  applicable 
to  Dr.  Worcester,  less  and  less,  after  he  became  famil- 
iar with  the  pulpit.  "  His  people  at  Salem  made  no 
account  of  "  the  peculiarity  described ;  and  for  the 
very  sufficient  reason,  that  little  or  nothing  of  it  was 
observed,  in  comparison  with  qualities,  which  always 
gained  their  attention,  and  repaid  their  profoundest 
silence. 

His  voice  was  not  powerful,  or  orotund,  but  mild 
15* 


174  MEMOIR    OF 

and  pleasant ;  and  his  tones  were  those  of  benevolent, 
affectionate,  fervent  sincerity.  When  he  commenced 
his  public  life,  he  undoubtedly  Avas  emulous  of  dis- 
tinction in  each  branch  of  rhetorical  culture.  There 
was  an  evident  effort  in  his  speaking,  which  was  a 
serious  fault.  In  Dr.  Austin,  he  had  a  good  example 
of  manly  and  effective  oratory  ;  but  his  own  natural 
gifts  were  in  this  respect  much  inferior  to  those  of  his 
eloquent  teacher.  It  is  doubtful,  if  he  ever  had  any 
very  particular  aid,  of  the  right  kind,  in  direct  elocu- 
tionary discipline.  And  so  long  had  he  been  inured 
to  hard  agricultural  toils,  that  it  was  much  more  diffi- 
cult to  acquire  an  easy  and  graceful  command  of  his 
person,  for  the  happiest  effect  of  public  speaking. 

In  conversation  and  in  extemporaneous  efforts,  gen- 
erally, he  had  more  or  less  of  hesitancy,  which  was 
not  "  natural ;"  but,  as  is  believed,  was  rather  the  con- 
sequence of  an  early  purpose  to  choose  out  the  best 
of  "  acceptable  words,"  and  of  his  nice  discrimination 
of  the  less  obvious  differences  of  significance.  If  he 
had  not  been  so  studious  of  accuracy  and  elegance, 
he  might  have  been  more  fluent;  as  was  abundantly 
manifest  in  his  more  familiar  conversational  moods, 
and  his  more  excited  and  ardent  exertions,  as  an  ec- 
clesiastical counsellor  or  debater.  If  there  be  any 
charm  in  the  "  negligent  grandeur  of  genius,"  not  the 
least  of  it  was  ever  seen  in  him. 

He  was  modest,  but  not  diffident,  or  self-distrustful. 
Fully  aware  as  he  was  of  m^aterial  deficiencies  in  the 
attractions  of  oratory,  he  was  yet  collected  and  unem- 
barrassed. Of  action  he  was  very  sparing.  And 
whatever  he  may  have  had  of  stiffness  or  awkward- 
ness at  the  beginning,  the  time  came,  when  the  wave 
of  his  hand,  or  the  elevation  of  a  finger,  spoke  with  an 
unutterable  expressiveness. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  175 

One  excellence  he  had  in  no  common  degree ;  that 
of  distinctness.  With  a  very  moderate  volume  of 
sound,  he  could  be  perfeclly  heard  by  a  very  large  as- 
sembly. And  combined  with  distinctness,  was  a  mode 
of  pronunciation,  which  was  rigidly  conformed  to  the 
standard  of  reputable  and  refined  usage. 

His  frequent  debility  may  have  had  some  effect 
upon  his  manner  in  the  pulpit  and  elsewhere.  To  the 
end  of  his  life,  perhaps,  a  stranger  would  almost  al- 
ways feel,  that,  for  some  cause,  occasional  or  constant, 
it  was  not  so  easy  for  him  to  speak,  as  for  many 
others.  And  his  talents  as  a  writer  and  reasoner,  so 
much  eclipsed  all  his  claims  as  an  orator,  that,  ab- 
sorbed in  the  subject  of  his  discourse,  the  candid 
hearer  soon  forgot  that  there  was  anything  else  before 
him  or  around  him,  than  the  subject  and  the  dis- 
course. 

That  "  a  prophet  is  not  without  honor,  save  in  his 
own  country,  and  in  his  own  house,"  there  is  the  high- 
est authority  for  believing,  as  a  general  law  of  per- 
sonal reputation.  And  it  is  true,  as  would  be  inferred 
from  the  testimony  above  cited,  that  Dr.  Worcester 
never  was  so  popular  at  Hollis,  as  in  other  ])laces.  In 
fact,  he  was  not  as  acceptable  in  the  pulpit  of  his 
native  town,  as  either  of  his  brothers.  He  was  longer 
at  home,  and  while  at  home,  he  was  more  prominent 
in  his  attainments  and  aspirations,  and  thus  more  an 
object  of  that  kind  of  notice,  which  so  naturally  ex- 
cites the  feelings  of  jealousy  and  envy.  He  was  ac- 
cused of  a  dcgi'ce  of  self-esteem,  which  had  no  place 
in  his  consciousness.  There  were  a  few  verv  amia- 
ble  and  pious  persons,  who  deceived  themselves  re- 
specting his  real  character,  and  for  a  time  were  ac- 
customed to  speak  of  him  in  terms,  which  they  after- 


176  MEMOIR    OP 

wards  found  occasion  to  lament.  There  were  those, 
however,  whose  prejudices  were  not  softened,  but 
rather  hardened  by  the  course,  which,  some  ten  or 
twelve  years  after  he  began  to  preach,  he  felt  obliged 
to  pursue,  in  reference  to  certain  vexed  cases  in  the 
Church  at  Hollis,  upon  which  his  judgment  did  not  at 
all  harmonize  with  theirs,  or  at  least,  with  their  feel- 
ings. And  it  was  necessary  that  he  should  die  even, 
before  he  could  receive  from  some  the  justice  and  the 
honor,  which  were  his  due. 

He  preached  in  the  place  of  his  "  own  home,"  very 
soon  after  he  "  ascended  the  pulpit."  One  who  be- 
came a  devoted  friend,  and  was  most  grateful  to  re- 
cognize him  as  her  pastor,  at  Salem,  was  then  resid- 
ing in  Hollis. 

"  When  I  saw  him  walking  over  the  common,  to- 
wards the  meeting-house,  in  company  with  Mr.  Smith, 
I  suspected  that  he  was  going  to  preach.  I  knew  not 
what  to  do  ;  I  felt  so  badly.  If  it  had  not  been  for  the 
appearance,  I  should  have  left  the  house,  before  he 
came  in.  But  I  thought  it  best  to  stay. — The  spirit- 
uality of  his  prayer  almost  entirely  removed  my  preju- 
dices against  him.  But  his  sermon,  from  the  text — 
*  So  Naaman  went  away  in  a  rage,' — completely  melted 
me  dcncn.  I  never  afterwards  had  any  doubts  of  his 
humility."* 

The  effect  was  like  that,  which  prompted  a  kindred 
spirit,  at  a  later  day,  to  testify  of  him : — "  No  minister 
would  ever  lead  me  like  him,  to  humble  myself  before 
God  I" 

At  New  Ipswich,  he  was  at  this  time  as  much  es- 
teemed and  applauded,  as  his  warmest  self-love  could 

*  The  devout  woman,  who,  in  1S34,  related  this  reminiscence  with  a 
moistened  eye,  had  become  his  sister-in-law,  in  ISJO,  by  being-  married  to 
his  brother  Leonard. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  177 

have  desired.  The  people  had  the  hii^hest  confidence 
in  him  as  a  Christian,  and  delighted  to  do  honor  to 
his  abilities  and  worth.  He  is  there  remembered  by 
the  aged,  as  if  an  early  acquaintance  with  liini  was 
among  the  happiest  of  recollections. 

His  intercourse  with  his  pupils  and  with  all  others, 
was  so  instructive  and  entertaining,  that  his  company 
was  much  valued.  He  was  usually  in  a  cheerful  and 
happy  frame  of  spirit,  and  disposed  to  avail  himself 
of  the  opportunities,  which  his  situation  amply  afford- 
ed him,  for  cultivating  the  social  affections.  Some  of 
his  letters  at  this  period,  and  his  more  elaborate  com- 
positions, have  a  mellowness  and  tenderness — an  unc- 
tion of  persuasive  sentiment, — which  may  have  been 
somewhat  promoted  by  his  debilitated  state  of  health  ; 
while  receiving,  on  every  hand,  the  most  grateful  and 
animating  tokens  of  respect  and  love.  Witness,  for 
example,  a  letter  to  his  brother,  who  took  the  place  at 
Hollis,  which  had  been  intended  for  himself,  and  who 
was  subject  to  depression  and  melancholy. 

"  New  Ipswich, 
My  dear  Brother, — 

I  wrote  you  a  letter  three  or  four  weeks  ago  ;  but  as 
INIr.  Farrar  failed  of  attending  the  Association,  I  was 
disappointed  in  the  expected  conveyance.  I  was  eager 
to  avail  myself  of  the  earliest  opportunity  to  bring  you 
under  an  obligation,  or  at  least  to  give  you  provoca- 
tion, to  write  to  me.  For,  from  your  verbal,  but  more 
especially,  from  your  practical,  confessions,  I  am  much 
inclined  to  think,  that  you  have  contracted  too  great 
an  aversion  to  writing  letters,  and  are  too  backward 
in  supporting  a  correspondence  with  your  brothers. 
I  do  not  impute  it  to  the  want  of  friendly  and  frater- 
nal affection.  No :  by  no  means.  I  do  believe,  and 
/  hve  to  believe,  that  you  are  richly  possessed  of  the 
heart  and  the   feelings   of  a  brother — that  heart  and 


178  MEMOIR    OP 

those  feelings,  which,  if  allowed  to  dictate  to  the  pen, 
would  prove  a  source  of  the  purest  pleasure  to  your- 
self, and  your  friends.  And  therefore  it  is,  that  I  wish 
you  to  write.  It  is  certainly  a  pity,  that  the  best  sen- 
timents should  burn  out  upon  the  socket  within  your 
own  bosom.  Let  them  animate  the  epistolary  page, 
and  they  will  do  good ;  they  will  warm  into  life  all 
that  is  generous  and  fraternal  in  the  circle  of  our 
brotherhood,  and  give  the  consanguined  fluid,  which 
runs  in  our  veins,  a  brisker  circulation  through  the 
heart.  I  know  your  excuses  for  not  ^^Titing  more ; 
but  pardon  me  if  I  cannot  admit  them.  True  you  are 
involved  in  the  cares  of  a  family,  and  the  businesses 
of  the  world ;  but  I  would  not  say  that  you  are  too 
much  so.  Yet  certainly  you  are,  if  you  have  no  time 
left  for  anything  else.  This,  however,  is  not  the  bur- 
den  of  your  apologies.  There  is  another  thing  which 
you  urge  ;  and  the  urging  of  which  has  given  me  pain. 
Have  you  a  brother  in  the  world,  who  thinks  meanly 
of  you,  on  account  of  your  natural  abilities,  your  ac- 
quirements, or  your  condition  in  life  ?  I  presume  you 
have  not.  If  you  have,  I  certainly  am  not  he.  Your 
notions  of  inability  and  inferiority  are  groundless,  and 
ought  to  be  discarded.  They  betray  you  into  unrea- 
sonable suspicions,  and  create  many  disagreeable  sen- 
sations. They  deceive  you,  they  impose  upon  you ; 
and  that  to  the  painful  regret  of  some,  and  I  believe  I 
may  say  all,  of  your  friends,  by  whom  it  has  been  dis- 
covered. Be  entreated  to  dismiss  them,  and  resume 
the  place,  which  your  birthright  allows  you,  among 
the  members  of  our  common  family. 

My  school  is  small  as  yet,  but  in  a  growing  state. 
I  have  it  in  contemplation,  to  offer  myself  for  license, 
sometime  in  the'  course  of  the  summer :  perhaps  in 
July.     What  is  to  be  my  success,  time  must  disclose. 

You  will  excuse  the  freedom,  which  I  have  indulged 
in  this  letter ;  and  be  pleased  to  give  it  such  an  an- 
swer as  you  think  it  may  deserve. 

With  cordial  regards  for  my  sister,  and  your  whole 
family,  I  am  your  affectionate  brother, 

Samuel  Worcester. 

Mr.  Jesse  Worcester." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  179 

This  fraternal  letter  was  probably  written,  about 
the  time,  when  he  was  invited  to  deliver  an  oration,  at 
the  twentieth  Anniversary  of  Independence.  The  cit- 
izens of  New  Ipswich  took  measures  for  a  brilliant 
civic  and  military  display  of  their  patriotism,  and  had 
no  fears  of  disappointment,  when  the  speaker  of  their 
choice  was  ready  to  address  them.  There  were  not 
many  places  in  New  Hampshire,  or  in  any  part  of  the 
interior  of  all  New  England,  where,  within  the  same 
territorial  limits,  so  great  a  number  of  well  educated 
people  of  both  sexes  could  have  been  convened  on 
that  Fourth  of  July,  1796.  And  the  orator  of  the  day 
may  have  had  some  remembrance,  that  it  was  now 
but  the  fifth  summer^  since  he  had  wielded  the  scythe 
and  the  sickle. 

He  began  with  an  original  and  beautiful  analysis  of 
the  nature  and  true  end  of  commemorative  celebra- 
tions ;  from  which  it  was  natural  to  remind  the  large 
and  very  intelligent  concourse  of  his  fellow-citizens, 
that  the  occasion  imposed  upon  the  orator  of  the  day 
a  responsibility,  of  which  none  could  be  more  unaf- 
fectedly sensible  than  himself.  Li  a  statesman-like 
and  christian  manner  he  then  reviewed  the  political 
and  moral  grounds  of  the  Declaration  of  American 
Lidependence.  And  although  entirely  prepared,  both 
in  himself  and  "  audience  meet,"  he  must  have  taken 
all  by  surprise,  when  he  so  suddenly  and  happily  turn- 
ed the  onw^ard  course  of  his  glowing  discussion  of  the 
principles  and  obligations  of  our  national  freedom. 

"  Citizens  of  Columbia, — 

You  glory  in  your  Independence,  you  glory  in  your 
liberties,  you  glory  in  your  republican  spirit.  And 
well  you  may  ;  for  they  have  raised  you  to  a  pitch  of 
happiness,  and  an  elevation  of  character,  un]iarallcled 


180  MEMOIR    OF 

in  the  history  of  nations.  You  cannot  place  too  highly 
in  estimation  the  privileges  you  possess ;  you  cannot 
regard,  with  too  lively  a  sensibility,  the  liberties  you 
enjoy;  neither  can  you  commemorate,  with  emotions 
too  grateful,  or  eclat  too  exultant,  the  great  events, 
which  brought  you  to  this  state. 

But  let  it  be  remembered,  that  glorying,  rejoicing, 
and  commemorating,  are  not  the  whole  duty  of  a  re- 
publican people.  Heaven  has  suspended  the  happiness 
and  character  of  man,  in  every  state,  upon  unremitting 
and  well-directed  exertion ;  and  in  proportion  as  the 
condition  is  more  elevated  and  happy,  the  requisite 
exertion  becomes  more  strenuous,  assiduous,  and 
direct.  While,  therefore,  we  exult  in  the  privileges 
and  blessings,  which  distinguish  us  a  people,  from 
every  nation  under  heaven,  we  virtually  acknowledge, 
that  our  every  best  effort  is  due  for  their  security  and 
perpetuation. 

The  history  of  the  world  is  replete  with  evidence, 
that  liberty,  though  dearest  of  every  thing  to  the  hu- 
man heart,  is  of  every  thing  the  most  liable  to  suffer 
from  supine  negligence,  or  wanton  abuse  of  men. 
Look  at  the  republics  of  antiquity ;  look  at  those  of 
modern  times.  Look,  and  triumph  ;  look,  and  tremble. 
Triumph,  that  all  their  glory  is  ours,  and  tremble,  lest 
their  fate  should  also  be  ours. 

As  a  constitution,  founded  on  "  free  and  benevolent 
principles,"  was  the  gi'and  object  of  the  revolution,  and 
is  that,  in  which  our  Independence  was  gloriously 
consummated  ;  so  is  it  the  grand  bulwark  of  the  rights, 
liberties,  and  blessings,  which  we  now  enjoy,  and 
which  we  justly  hold  so  dear.  The  constitution,  under 
which  our  Federal  system  is  organized,  is  the  sacred 
palladium  of  all  our  national  prosperity  and  glory. 
Preserve  this  inviolate,  and  all  is  secure ;  let  this  be 
subverted,  and  all  is  lost.  So  long  as  we  are  governed 
by  this,  we  have  all  the  freedom,  which,  as  good  citi- 
zens, we  can  desire ;  but  so  soon  as  the  supremacy  of 
this  is  prostrated,  we  are  no  longer  a  free  people. 

I  say  so  long  as  we  are  governed  by  the  consti- 
tution ;    for   governed    by  it  we  must  be,  or  the  so- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  181 

cial  tie  is  dissolved,  and  our  republican  state  at  an 
end. 

Nor  let  it  be  Ihoumdit,  Ihat  submission  to  constitu- 
tional authority  is  incompatible  with  the  cliaracter  of 
independent  freemen  ;  for  that  is  but  ac([uiescence,  if  I 
may  so  say,  in  our  own  best  will.  We  have  chosen 
not  to  range  at  large  in  the  wild  province's  of  nature  ; 
we  have  chosen  society,  which  is,  beyond  doul)t,  the 
state  designed  by  Heaven  for  man ;  and  we  have  bound 
ourselves  to  the  observance  of  such  laws  and  govern- 
mental institutions,  as  may  result  from  the  general 
sentiment.  And  in  all  this,  have  we  not  acted  as  freely 
and  as  independently,  as  it  is  possible  for  a  people  to 
act?  Is  not  the  constitution  the  result  of  our  most 
enlightened  reason,  and  the  object  of  our  most  delib- 
erate choice  ?  And  are  we  not  bound  in  obedience  to 
it,  by  obligations,  as  sacred  as  the  first  laws  of  morali- 
ty, and  as  commanding  as  the  supreme  sanctions  of 
nature  ? 

But  is  the  constitution,  like  the  laws  of  the  Medes 
and  Persians,  irreversibly  fixed,  and  unalterable  ?  And 
are  we  bound  to  abide  it,  in  all  its  eftects,  however  in- 
jurious it  may  prove  in.its  operation  ?     This  is  by  no 
means  pretended.     Although  we  believe  it  an  incom- 
parable  monument  of  the  wisdom  of  man  ;  yet,  like 
everything  else  human,  it  is  unquestionably  stamped 
with  the  mark  of  imperfection.      It  certainly  is  not 
sacred  beyond  the  touch  of  scrutiny  or  reform.     Not 
only  is  it  the  right  of  the  people  to  examine  it  for  al- 
teration or  amendment ;  but  it  is  their  indispensable 
duty  to  remedy,  so  far  as  may  be  practicable,  every  in- 
convenience, which  it  may  be  found  to  involve.  And  the 
constitution  itself  has  not  only  made  provision  for  this, 
but  has   marked  out  the  way,  by  which  it  may  be 
done.     But  so  long  as  it  remains  unaltered,  it  is  to  be 
regarded  as  the  best  possible  expression  of  the  public 
will ;  and,  as   such,  it  is  inviolable.     Every  attempt, 
therefore,  to  subvert  its  principles,  to  unnerve  its  ener- 
gy, or  to  obstruct  its  operation,  is  an  infringement  on 
the  rights  of  community,  and  a  treason  against  the 
16 


182  MEMOIR    OF 

sovereignty  of  the   States,  which  ought  to  be  crushed 
by  the  people  en  masse. 

Virtue  and  knowledge  are  the  two  main  pillars,  by 
which  a  government,  like  ours,  can  be  supported.  Let 
either  of  these  fail,  and  the  whole  must  fall,  inevitably, 
to  the  ground.  As  the  great  object  of  the  social  con- 
nection is  general  happiness,  it  is  plainly  a  fundamen- 
tal maxim,  that  a  smaller  good  must  give  place  to  a 
greater,  and  that  private  emolument  must  be  holden 
in  subordination  to  public  interest.  To  deviate,  prac- 
tically, from  this  maxim,  is  to  contravene  the  very 
principle  of  the  republican  state ;  and  to  practise  in 
conformity  with  it,  is  to  be,  in  an  eminent  degree,  vir- 
tuous. 

Under  our  free  constitution,  every  man  of  talents 
and  ambition  embraces,  within  the  compass  of  his 
hopes,  the  highest  places  in  the  state.  Some,  how- 
ever, must  be  disappointed.  And  as  ambition,  in  a 
mind  not  fortified  with  virtue,  can  but  illy  brook  the 
mortification  of  a  disappointment,  it  is  naturally  led 
to  meditate  the  overthrow  of  a  successful  rival,  what- 
soever consequences  it  may  involve.  Hence,  slan- 
derous surmises  against  men  in  place  are  industriously 
circulated,  and  under  the  show  of  '  exclusive  patriot- 
ism,' clamor  and  cabal  against  measures  of  govern- 
ment are  wantonly  fomented.  The  public  is  taught 
to  believe  its  '  servants  '  to  be  unfaithful  or  incompe- 
tent ;  violent  parties,  in  continual  succession,  are 
formed  in  the  state ;  and  the  people,  harassed  and  dis- 
tracted with  endless  jealousies  and  apprehensions, 
lose,  at  length,  all  confidence  in  the  government,  and, 
of  course,  all  respect  for  its  laws.  Unbounded  licen- 
tiousness then  prevails,  and  anarchy,  the  worst  species 
of  despotism,  inevitably  ensues. 

The  only  security  against  this  fatal  declension  of 
things  is  a  general  difl'usion  of  knowledge.  Knowl- 
edge will  convince  men  that  virtue  is  essential  to  the 
existence  of  the  republican  state.  It  will  enable  them 
to  discover  in  what  true  republicanism  consists,  and 
what  are  the  privileges,  which  belong  to  the  citizen. 
It  wiU  show  them,  that  if  power  has  its  boundaries  ou 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  183 

the  one  hand,  liberty  has  its  limits  on  the  other.  And, 
a  foe  eciually  to  tyranny  and  lieentionsness,  it  will 
serve  as  a  raitlilul  sentinel  over  the  desii^ns  of  ambition 
within  the  government,  and  the  intrigues  of  faetion 
without. 

Contidenee  in  government,  and  acquiescence  in 
constitutional  administration,  are  among  the  first  of 
the  republican  duties,  and  absolutely  essential  to  the 
well-being  of  a  free  state.  The  best  form  of  govern- 
ment, ever  conceived  by  man,  can  avail  nothing,  as  to 
the  great  objects  of  the  social  connection,  unless  it  be 
carried  into  eflcctive  operation.  In  order  to  this,  its 
administration  must  be  entrusted  somewhere,  and 
there  must  be  subordination  in  the  state.  There  must 
be  a  supreme  power  concentrated,  there  must  be  offi- 
cers in  the  several  departments,  invested  with  the 
authority  of  the  constitution,  and  to  these  the  people 
must  confide  the  management  of  the  commonwealth  ; 
or  the  whole  business  of  government  is  but  a  solemn 
farce. 

Government  is  a  machinery,  the  whole  beauty  of 
which  consists  in  its  adaptedness  to  utility ;  and  to 
love  a  government  is  to  love  its  genuine  effects.  It  is 
preposterous,  therefore,  for  men  to  pretend  an  attach- 
ment to  the  constitution  itself,  so  long  as  they  are  op- 
posed to  every  principle  of  it  in  operation  ;  so  long  as 
they  are  assiduously  endeavoring  to  destroy  its  influ- 
ence, by  spreading  the  mania  of  disaffection  through 
the  public  mind,  by  arrogantly  arraigning  every  meas- 
ure of  administration,  and  by  a  perpetual  cry  of '  tyranny 
and  aristocracy '  against  men  in  the  discharge  of  their 
official  duties. 

To  oppose  the  proper  exercise  of  constitutional 
authority,  is,  virtually,  to  oppose  the  constitution  it- 
self. 

It  were  easy  to  raise  clamors  and  complaints  against 
the  best  administration  of  the  best  government,  which 
ever  existed ;  and  factious  men  know  this  to  be  the 
most  eftectual  way  to  sap  the  foundations  of  the 
state,  and  to  throw  the  political  system  into  ruins. 

The  popular  mind  is  always  in  a  high  degree  in- 


184  MEMOIR    OP 

flammable  ;  and  certain  words,  pronounced  with  a  cer- 
tain tone  or  emphasis,  are  usually  sufficient  to  kindle 
it  into  a  blaze.  Tell  the  people  that  they  are  free,  that 
they  are  independent,  that  they  have  all  the  power  in 
their  own  hands,  and  they  will  be  pleased,  they  will 
love  you,  they  will  believe  you.  Then  but  point  the 
finger,  or  cast  an  oblique  glance,  at  a  man  in  power, 
or  a  measure  of  government,  and,  with  one  voice,  they 
will  cry  out,  '  Tyranny  !  Aristocracy  !  Oppression  ! 
Down  avith  administration  ! '  But  this  is  not  the 
way  to  preserve  the  republican  state  ;  and  the  man  who 
would  practise  thus,  ought  to  be  branded  as  an  enemy 
to  his  country. 

It  is  of  dangerous  tendency  to  tell  the  people  they 
are  free  ;  unless  you  tell  them  at  the  same  time, in  what 
freedom  consists.  The  multitude  stops  not  to  delib- 
erate, it  acts  from  the  impulse  of  the  moment,  and, 
therefore,  extremities  excepted,  ought  never  to  be  ad- 
dressed with  inflammatory  harangues. 

Let  it  not  be  supposed,  that  the  speaker  would  in- 
culcate implicit  confidence  in  public  officers,  or  uncon- 
ditional submission  to  measures  of  administi-ation. 
Far  be  it  from  his  heart.  This  only  is  contended,  that 
none  ought  to  be  elected  into  office,  in  whom  the  peo- 
ple have  not  confidence,  that  they  will  be  faithful  to 
the  public  interest,  and  competent  to  the  duties  of  their 
trust;  that  while  in  office,  they  should  be  respected, 
not  as  the  menial  '  servants  of  the  people,'  but  as  the 
representatives  of  the  nation,  and  promptly  supported 
in  the  exercise  of  their  respective  functions ;  and  that 
so  long  as  they  continue  to  '  deserve  well  of  their  coun- 
try,' their  characters  should  be  regarded  as  sacred,  and 
their  services  should  be  rewarded  with  the  ingenuous 
affiance  and  the  lively  gratitude  of  the  nation. 

The  right  of  election  is  the  most  important  of  any, 
which  a  people  can  enjoy.  It  in  fact  involves  every- 
thing, which  appertains  to  the  free  citizen.  It  is  in 
the  exercise  of  this  right  only,  that  the  people  can  feel 
and  act  as  sovereigns  ;  for  as  soon  as  they  have  elected 
their  officers  into  place,  they  step,  as  it  were,  into  the 
subject,  and  have  nothing  further  to  do  with  the  gov- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  185 

eminent,  so  long  as  const iintioiuilly  administered,  but 
to  strengthen  its  iniluence  and  submit  to  its  0[)eration. 

It  is  farcical  for  the  people  to  tliink,  either  by  pop- 
ular meetings  or  otherwise,  to  dictate  measures  to  men 
in  oliice,  or  to  take  any  share,  either  in  legislation  or 
administration.  They  may  petition  and  memorialize, 
and  that  in  the  most  forcible  manner ;  yet  have  they  no 
right  to  expect,  that  their  '  servants  '  should  act  aside 
from  their  own  judgment  of  what  is  right,  even  should 
the  popular  voice  be,  unitedly,  against  them.  Public 
functionaries,  in  every  department,  taking  the  consti- 
tution and  laws  of  the  land  for  their  guide,  must  act 
independently,  according  to  tlieir  own  best  sense  of 
the  right  and  the  fit,  or  their  oaths  of  ofiice  are  viola- 
ted, and  all,  but  the  bare  name,  of  a  representative 
government  is  at  once  destroyed. 

Every  citizen,  therefore,  who  glories  in  the  character 
of  a  freeman,  must  feel  the  importance  of  exercising 
his  right  of  suffrage,  with  discretion  and  with  dignity. 
The  character  of  candidates  for  offices  of  trust  ought 
to  be  canvassed  with  the  most  dispassionate  scrutiny. 
Every  party  consideration,  every  personal  prejudice, 
and  every  interested  bias,  is  to  be  utterly  excluded  from 
the  business  of  elections ;  and  the  only  inquiry  should 
be  '  which  is  the  man,  who  will  fill  the  place  to  the 
greatest  public  advantage  ?  ' 

Forbid  it.  Heaven,  that,  on  this  sacred  anniversary, 
a  public  orator  should  suggest  a  sentiment  to  the  pre- 
judice of  virtue  or  of  worth.  Perish  the  tongue,  which 
would  cast  the  smallest  blot  on  the  lustre  of  patriot- 
ism. Perish,  forever,  the  hand,  which  would  pluck  a 
single  laurel  from  the  brow  of  merit  I  But  it  is  a  truth, 
w4iich,  at  a  time  like  the  present,  ought  not  to  be  sup- 
pressed, that  violent  enmity  against  tyranny  is  not  an 
unequivocal  indication  of  warm  friendship  for  rational 
liberty.  Neither  is  it  invariably  true,  that  he,  who  is 
the  most  zealous  in  promoting  a  revolution  in  favor  of 
a  free  government,  is  also  the  most  firm  in  supporting 
that  government,  when  once  established.  There  are 
men,  dexterous  at  demolishing,  who  have  no  skill  in 
building.  And  there  are  men,  who  delight  in  perpet- 
16* 


186  MEMOIR    OP 

ual  revolution,  who  have  ends  to  answer  by  the  des- 
truction of  the  existing  system,  whatever  it  may  be, 
and  whose  principal  design  is  to  erect  their  own  in- 
terest and  aggrandizement  on  the  ruins  of  the  state. 

I  venerate  the  patriots  of  seventy-five  ;  I  venerate 
those,  who  stood  forward  in  the  contest  with  Great 
Britain,  and  I  venerate  the  men,  Avho  are,  at  this  day, 
truly  engaged  for  the  liberties  of  '  the  people.'  Yet  I 
dare  believe,  that  some,  not  to  say  many,  who  distin- 
guished themselves  by  their  zeal  and  activity  for  the 
revolution,  who  were  ready  to  spend  their  fortunes  and 
spill  their  lives  in  the  cau.se  of  Independence,  who  still 
retain  such  an  enmity  to  the  British  nation,  that  they 
would  willingly  see  their  island  sinking,  '  like  a  mill- 
stone,' in  the  depths  of  the  sea,  and  who,  on  every  oc- 
casion, talk  it  '  independently '  and  vociferously  for 
Miberty,'  'equality,'  and  'democratic  republicanism,' 
are,  nevci-theless,  enemies  to  the  very  principles  of  the 
constitution,  enemies  to  every  system  of  regular  gov- 
ernment, enemies  to  the  best  characters  and  best  inter- 
ests of  their  country  ;  and  therefore  not  only  unfit  for 
any  office  of  trust  in  the  state,  but  of  dangerous  influ- 
ence to  the  community,  even  in  their  individual  capa- 
city. 

Citizens  of  America,  are  we  to  be  duped  by  clamor 
and  declamation  ?  Are  we  to  be  governed  by  faction 
and  cabal  ?  Are  we  to  believe,  that  the  heat  of  the 
revolution  was  the  time,  and  the  only  time,  '  to  try 
men's  souls  ; '  and  that  every  man,  who  was  then  a 
warm  whig,  is  now  a  true  patriot  ?  Are  we  to  believe, 
that  hatred  against  Britain,  is  the  same  thing  as  love 
for  our  own  country ;  and  that  he,  who  is  loudest  in 
clamor  against  British  connections,  is  warmest  at 
heart  for  our  republican  state  ?  Are  we  to  believe, 
that,  because  we  have  preserved  a  neutrality,  during 
the  belligerency  of  Europe,  our  government  is,  there- 
fore, wholly  corrupt ;  and  that  he,  who  does  not  join 
in  execrating  every  measure  of  administration,  and 
in  denouncing  every  oUficer  in  place,  is,  certainly,  a 
'  tory,'  an  '  aristocrat,'  an  enemy  to  the  rights  of  '  the 
people  ? ' 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  187 

Have  wc  not  already  soen  and  fdt  the  pernicious 
eftbcts  of  doctrines  like  these?  Have  we  not  seen  the 
firebrands  of  sedition  plentifully  scattered  in  every  dis- 
trict of  our  country  ?  Have  we  not  seen  associations, 
formed  in  ditlerent  parts  of  the  community,  for  the 
manifest  purpose  of  counteracting  the  inlluence  of 
government,  and  of  destroying  all  coniidcnee  in  ad- 
ministration ? 

*  Ten  thousand  fools,  knaves,  cowards,  lumped  together, 
Become  all  wise,  all  righteous,  and  almighty.' 

Have  w^e  not  seen  the  demon  of  faction  rearing  his 
head,  and,  with  hideous  aspect,  threatening  to  trample 
in  the  dust  all  authority  and  all  law  ?  Have  we  not  seen 
the  best  characters  in  the  commonwealth,  the  boast 
of  the  nation  and  the  pillars  of  the  state,  overwhelmed 
with  torrenfs  of  obloquy  and  abuse  ?  Have  w^e  not 
seen  the  daring,  sacrilegious  hand  stretched  forth  to 
rifle  of  its  laurels  that  venerable  brow,  which  nations 
have  been  emulous  to  crown,  and  which  ages  will  por- 
tray with  irradiations  of  glory  ?  Have  we  not  seen 
our  national  honor  tottering  on  the  brink  of  ruin,  and 
our  federal  system  just  ready  to  be  wrecked  in  the 
vortex  of  party?  Have  we  not  seen  our  political  hor- 
izon gathering  blackness,  low^ering,  and  thickening 
into  a  tempest,  just  ready  to  burst  over  our  heads  with 

tenfold  horror  ?     Have  we  not   seen But  I  forbear. 

The  storm  is  blown  over,  the  clouds  are  dispersed,  and 
the  sun  shines  forth  in  meridian  splendor. 

And,  my  fellow-citizens,  while  we  rejoice  in  the 
present  happy  state  and  prospects  of  our  country,  let 
us  unite  in  grateful  acknowledgments  to  those  firm 
supporters  of  the  constitution,  and  of  the  rights  of  na- 
tions, who  have  greatly  stemmed  the  torrent  of  faction, 
baffled  the  designs  of  party,  and,  under  the  auspices  of 
Heaven,  saved  our  nation  from  infamy,  from  anarchy, 
and  from  war. 

Favored,  thrice-favored  land  I  Asylum  of  peace, 
liberty  and  happiness  I  Long  mayest  thou  continue 
the  glory  of  nations  and  the  admiration  of  the  world. 
May  genial  seasons  crown  thy  fields  ;  may  prosperous 


188  MEMOIR    OP 

breezes  fill  thy  sails  ;  may  radiant  sciences  illumine 
thy  paths  ;  may  universal  love  felicitate  thy  times  ; 
may  the  smiles  of  thy  daughters  warm  the  heart  to 
virtue ;  may  the  exertions  of  thy  sons  be  directed  to 
true  glory  ;  and  may  all  thy  children  unite,  in  senti- 
ment and  effort,  for  the  great  interests  of  humanity, 
till  this  scene  of  things  shall  be  shut,  and  latest  time 
shall  lapse  into  vast  eternity." 

If  the  citizens  of  New  Ipswich  and  vicinity  extolled 
this  oration,  as  extraordinary  and  most  felicitous, 
there  are  those,  who,  after  the  lapse  of  fifty-five  years, 
heartily  concur  in  their  admiring  judgment.  And  if 
it  had  been  repeated  on  the  very  last — the  seventy- 
fifth — anniversary  of  our  existence  as  a  sovereign  peo- 
ple,— how  few  sentences  would  it  have  been  necessary 
to  erase  or  modify,  that  it  might  have  received  from  a 
similar  assembly  a  similar  tribute  of  applause  !  What 
in  principle  and  spirit  could  have  been  more  appro- 
priate, in  respect  to  existing  political  divisions  and 
dissensions  I 

To  Mr.  Luther  Jeivett. 

"  New  Ipsivich,  Nov,  8,  1796. 
My  dear  Friend, — 

*  *  *  *  Since  I  v^Tote  you  last,  my  health  has 
been  mending  considerably  ;  and  it  is  at  present  in  a 
flattering  state.  If  you  have  not  already  consulted 
physical  skill  for  my  benefit ;  perhaps  it  may  be  well 
to  defer  it,  at  least  for  a  while,  till  I  write  you  again. 
I  submit  the  matter,  however,  to  your  discretion,  to  do 
as  you  think  most  expedient. 

The  last  Sabbath  completed  my  term  of  engage- 
ment at  Pelham,  and  the  next  I  am  to  begin  at  Fitch- 
burg.  And  the  engagements,  into  which  I  have  al- 
ready entered,  will  about  carry  me  through  the  winter. 
After  I  shall  have  done  at  Fitchburg,  I  have  a  term  to 
supply  at  Milford,  then   a  term  again  at  Pelham,  and 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  189 

thon  a  form  at  Mothuon.  I  spoak  mnoh  easier  than  I 
did  when  I  first  boii^an  to  preach;  and  find  my  bnsi- 
ness  more  and  more  ac^recable.  The  work  is  impor- 
tant :  '  The  harvest  is  great,  bnt  the  lal)orers '  are  com- 
paratively, '  few.'  How  I  shall  succeed,  is  known 
only  to  Him^  in  wdiose  canse  I  have  professedly  en- 
gaged, and  in  whose  strength  I  trust  I  have  come  forth. 
But  I  feel  happy  in  the  assurance,  that  I  have  your 
best  wdshes  and  most  fervent  prayers,  together  with 
those  of  my  other  friends,  and  of  all  the  friends  of 
Zion,  for  my  success. 

Last  Friday,  as  I  was  on  my  way  to  Pelham,  T  rode 
with  Z*****  to  HoUis.  The  evening  next  preceding  I 
waited  upon  her  to  Deacon  Adams',  where  w^e  both 
spent  the  evening,  and  she  spent  the  night,  very  hap- 
pily, in  company  wdth  B****.  I  need  not  tell  you  the 
reason,  why  I  was  prepared  to  entertain  sentiments 
particularly  friendly  to  her  ;  nor  will  you  be  surprised 
to  hear  that  Z*****  regarded  her  as  a  sister,  upon  the 
first  acquaintance,  nay,  even  before  she  saw  her.  Give 
me  the  opportunity  to  hand  her  some  more  of  your 
letters,  for  it  will  do  me  good. 

Yours,  most  cordially, 

Samuel  Worcester." 

To  Mr.  lAither  Jeivett 

"  Neiv  Ipswich,  Nov.  28,  1796. 
My  dear  Friend, — 

I  had  but  this  moment  knowledge  of  Mr.  Crosby's 
going  to  Boston  ;  so  that  I  have  time  only  to  intro- 
duce to  your  acquaintance  my  last  Independence  Ora- 
tion. You  may  suppose  that  I  regard  it  with  all  the 
fondness  of  a  parent,  and,  therefore,  have  some  solici- 
tude that  it  should  make  its  way  in  the  world  under 
favorable  auspices.  The  printer  has  not  done  by  it 
very  well.  He  kept  it  a  long  time  in  his  press,  or 
rather  in  his  office,  and  at  length  handed  it  out  incor- 
rect. I  have  marked  the  errors  in  the  copy  which  I 
send  to  you ;  and  wish  you  to  be  so  kind  as  to  correct 
them,  wdierever  you  meet  with  other  copies. 


190  MEMOIR    OP 

I  have  been  told,  with  an  air  of  confidence,  that  the 
Oration  would  be  re-printed  in  Boston  ;  this,  however, 
I  hardly  expect.  But  should  you  learn,  that  such  a 
thing  is  likely  to  happen,  you  will  take  that  part  in 
the  business  which  friendship  dictates. 

I  spent  an  evening  last  week  with  the  good  B****, 
which  I  found  not  much  otherwise  than  spending  one 
with  yourself. — Another  letter,  as  soon  as  possible. 

Yours,  sincerely, 

Samuel  Worcester." 

Dr.  Worcester's  enfeebled  health  and  his  ulterior 
plans,  constrained  him  to  resign  his  office  as  Preceptor 
at  New  Ipswich,  after  holding  it  with  great  success, 
about  eight  months.  He  returned  to  his  native  place ; 
pursued  his  studies ;  wrote  sermons ;  and  supplied 
pulpits,  in  person,  and  by  exchange,  availing  himself 
of  the  great  kindness  of  the  pastor  at  Hollis.*  He 
again  taught  school  there,  during  the  winter  of  1796-7 ; 
and  formed  a  class  of  young  ladies,  in  Geography, 
Astronomy,  History,  and  Chronology.  "  They  Were 
fine  scholars,  acquitted  themselves  most  honorably, 
and  gave  an  eclat  to  his  school,  at  the  close  of  which 
was  an  exhibition  of  a  tragedy  and  a  comedy,  and 
many  smaller  pieces — which  went  off  very  well." 

At  an  exhibition  in  the  Academy  of  New  Ipswich, 
in  October  previous,  he  seems  to  have  made  quite  an 
exertion  to  prepare  his  pupils  for  a  comic  and  tragic 
entertainment  of  the  patrons  and  spectators. — In  thus 
gratifying  himself  and  the  eager  relish  of  many  for  the 
pleasures  of  the  drama,  he  indicated  a  trait  of  charac- 
ter, of  which  none  but  his  most  intimate  friends  were 
fully  aware,  and  which  sometimes  exposed  him  to  the 
imputation  of  inconsistency.     Descended   as  he  was 

*  "  I  rode  over  four  hundred  miles,"  said  the  late  Rev.  E   Smith,  of  Hol- 
lis,—" to  help  him,  in  supplying  puli.its,  before  he  was  settled." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  101 

from  Puritans  of  "  the  straitest  sect,"  and  most  cor- 
•dially  reverent  to  their  memory  and  example,  lie  was 
yet  always  ready  to  consider  every  subject  and  ()])ject 
upon  its  own  intrinsic  merits.  He  would  not,  for  ex- 
ample, reprobate  a  practice  or  disallow  an  indulgcnice, 
simply  because  it  had  been  generally  reprobated,  or 
disallowed  by  those  of  his  own  religious  denomina- 
tion. Whatever  of  amusement  could  be  granted  to 
the  young,  or  entertainment  to  the  older,  without  en- 
dangering good  manners  and  good  morals,  or  inter- 
fering with  the  duties  of  "  religion,  pvirc  and  undefiled," 
he  was  willing  to  grant,  and,  so  far  as  consistent,  to 
promote.  But  it  is  needless  to  add,  that  his  most 
liberal  toleration  of  the  loveof  excitement  and  of  mirth, 
never  obtained  from  him  any  sanction  of  "  the  theatre," 
as  the  theatre  has  always  proved  itself  to  be. 

His  opinions  of  balls,  dancing  at  fashionable  par- 
ties, and  the  like,  may  be  inferred  from  a  remark, 
when  he  had  come  to  be  a  father. — "  I  should  have  no 
objection  to  my  children's  attending  a  dancing-school, 
if  I  could  be  sure,  that  they  would  never  dance  any 
where  else !"  And  his  views  of  the  influence  of  recre- 
ation, in  aiding  the  best  development  of  the  mental 
powers  of  children  and  youth,  may  be  also  inferred 
from  another  remark,  in  answer  to  an  instructer,  who 
had  complained  to  him  of  the  fondness  of  one  of  his 
sons  for  something  else  than  "  much  study." — Conced- 
ing, that  there  might  be  some  reason  for  the  com- 
plaint, he  did  not  appear  to  be  greatly  troubled.  He 
disapproved  of  hard  lessons  for  study  out  of  school. 
"  And  the  longer  I  live,  the  more  satisfied  I  am,  that 
there  is  a  great  deal  of  sound  sense  in  the  old  adage, — 

All  work  and  no  play, 
Makes  Jack  a  dull  boy." 


192  MEMOIR    OF 

In  the  spring  and  summer  of  1797,  he  was  as  labo- 
riously occupied,  as  his  health  would  permit.  He  was. 
much  abroad,  and  to  save  time,  frequently  rode  after 
dark,  to  fulfill  his  appointments.  In  bad  roads,  in 
storms,  and  in  all  changes  of  elements,  he  was  not 
easily  disquieted.  His  confidence  in  his  skill  in  horse- 
manship  bordered  upon  recklessness.  He  was  fond  of 
managing  an  animal,  that  scarcely  any  one  else  could 
approach.  As  might  have  been  expected,  he  had  ex- 
perience of  some  exciting  and  amusing  incidents. 
But  the  mercurial  temper  of  one  of  the  creatures  used 
by  him,  at  this  period  of  his  life,  once  at  least  caused 
a  very  serious  train  of  reflection.  Returning  from 
Pelham,  in  a  very  dark  evening,  he  was  plunged  into 
the  Merrimac,  by  a  leap  of  his  horse,  as  the  boat 
neared  the  bank ;  and  when  he  felt  his  feet  upon 
solid  ground,  knew  not  how  he  had  obtained  deliv- 
erance. 

As  soon  as  it  became  known,  that  he  was  a  candi- 
date for  settlement,  simultaneous  and  urgent  applica- 
tions were  made  to  him,  by  several  very  eligible  par- 
ishes. Candidates  of  an  undisputed  evangelical  order, 
and  of  distinguished  abilities,  were  so  few,  that  there 
was  occasionally  a  spirited  competition  in  bidding  for 
the  choice.  An  elder,  byt  not  a  ministerial  brother  of 
Dr.  W.  was  much  concerned  for  him,  lest  he  should 
be  unable  to  sustain  the  rank  to  which  he  had  been 
elevated  by  the  public  voice. 

He  received  an  unanimous  invitation  to  settle  in 
Pelham,  N.  H.,  while,  at  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  a  vigorous 
movement  of  a  part  of  the  church  and  society,  was 
aimed  to  prevent  his  acceptance  of  his  first  formal 
call,   and   to   persuade  him  to  comply  with  similar 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  193 

wishes  ill  their  own  behalf.*  The  harmony  of  the 
people  of  Pelham,  with  other  circumstances,  opened 
to  his  view  a  most  delightful  prospect.  His  inclina- 
tion, therefore,  was  very  strong  for  an  affirmative  an- 
swer to  their  call. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  objections  which  some  would 
have  deemed  conclusive  against  the  call  from  Fitch- 
burg,  were  to  him  very  weighty  arguments  in  favor. 
He  knew  that  an  arduous  work  must  there  be  done, 
and  that  grievous  trials  might  be  anticipated,  as  inev- 
itable. There  were  no  "Articles  of  Faith,"  distinct 
from  the  Covenant  of  the  church,  which  was  also  one 
of  the  "  half-way  "  covenants ;  and  so  indefinite  in  its 
terms,  as  to  satisfy  those,  who  accounted  all  modes  of 
faith  alike  acceptable  to  God.  The  expression  of  a 
wish  to  be  admitted  to  all  the  privileges  of  church- 
membership,  was  all  that  was  necessary.  And  it  is 
painful  to  add,  but  the  sequel  of  events  demands  the 
statement,  that  among  the  members  were  some  avow- 
ed Universalists,  reputed  Deists,  and  notoriously  in- 
temperate persons,  beside  others  who  gave  no  satis- 

*  In  a  recent  sketch  of  the  "  History  of  Fitchburg-,"  there  are  several  im- 
portant errors,  relative  to  the  settlement,  ice,  of  Dr.  Worcester.  It  would 
appear  from  this  "  History,"  that  the  town  took  the  lead  in  the  "  call,"  and 
in  fact  gave  it,  the  church  concurring. — But  a  careful  examination  of  the 
Records  of  the  town,  and  those  of  the  church,  gives  the  true  state  of  the 
case.  Meetings  of  the  church  and  of  the  town  had  been  warned,  to  be  held 
on  the  same  day.  The  church  at  first  voted  to  invite  Mr.  Noyes,  to  become 
their  pastor.  The  town  voted  against  concurrence  with  the  church  ;  but 
by  vote  of  43  to  24,  signified  their  "  willingness  to  settle  Mr.  Samuel  Wor- 
cester "' — During  a  short  adjournment  of  the  town-meeting,  the  church 
voted  to  give  a  call  to  the  candidate,  who  W'as  thus  seen  to  have  the  decided 
preference  of  the  town.  Their  vote  was  communicated,  at  the  meeting  of 
the  town,  held  by  adjournment ;  whereupon  the  town,  in  a  formal  manner, 
voted  to  concur  with  the  chiirch,  in  extending  an  invitation  of  settlement  to 
Mr.  Worcester.  Thus  the  title  of  tlie  church  to  precedence,  in  calling  the 
pastor,  was  distinctly  recognized,  according  to  ancient  and  still  accredited 
usage. 

17 


194  MEMOIR    OP 

factory  evidence,  that  they  had  ever  been  converted  to 
Christ.  Perhaps  no  church  in  Massachusetts  furnish- 
ed a  sadder  proof  of  the  lamentable  results  of  the 
"half-way"  scheme,  and  of  the  doctrine  of  Stoddard, 
which  had  become  so  extensively  consociated  with  it, 
and  which,  as  far  as  it  was  adopted,  was  evil  and 
"  only  evil  continually." 

Beside  other  unfavorable  circumstances,  there  was 
an  unhappy  division  in  the  town,  occasioned  by  the 
location  of  the  meeting-house.  The  controversy  upon 
this  subject,  seriously  threatened  to  defeat  all  endeav- 
ors to  promote  unity,  prosperity,  and  peace.  And 
further,  the  laws  of  the  Commonwealth,  as  then  ex- 
isting and  administered,  gave  every  legal  voter  in  the 
town  a  title  to  act  as  a  member  of  the  parish,  whether 
or  not  he  attended  public  worship,  or  paid  for  its 
maintenance ;  and  hence  a  party  disaffected  towards 
a  godly  minister,  had  a  power  at  their  disposal,  which 
they  were  not  often  slow  to  employ.* 

In  the  church  of  Fitchburg,  however,  there  were 
godly  men  and  women,  like  the  Simeon  and  Anna 
who  waited  for  the  consolation  of  Israel.  And  there 
were  members  of  the  congregation,  in  whose  general 
character  there  was  much  to  praise,  and  among  whom, 
more  particularly  the  younger  part,  a  faithful  pastor 
might  hope  to  find  bright  jewels  for  a  crown  of  rejoic- 
ing. These  and  the  majority  of  the  inhabitants  gave 
no  countenance  to  certain  "  lewd  feUows  of  the  baser 

*  The  town  was  incorporated  in  1764.  The  predecessor  of  Dr.  Worces- 
ter was  a  half-brother  of  Rev.  Mr.  Payson,  of  Ringe,  N.  H.,  and  had  been 
laid  aside  from  the  ministry,  by  the  calamity  of  mental  alienation.  For  some 
years,  if  not  from  the  first,  the  general  state  of  things  had  not  been  favorable 
to  the  hopes  of  pious  people.  The  population  in  1797  was  not  more,  proba- 
bly, than  a  fifth  part  as  great  as  at  present ;  and  the  town  has  now  a  charac- 
ter and  importance,  such  as  then  could  have  been  anticipated  by  none. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  195 

sort,"  who  wore  to  be  foniul  wifliin  llieir  liiriits,  as  in 
too  many  othor  towns,  where  Arminianisrn,  now  wax- 
ing worse  and  worse,  with  Universalism,  then  of  re- 
cent importation,  and  infidelity,  bold  and  impudent 
from  the  imagined  death-struggle  of  Bible  religion, 
often  gathered  together  for  Bacehanalian  orgies  around 
the  intoxicating  bowl.* 

Such  on  the  whole  was  the  state  of  things,  that  Dr. 
Worcester  would  have  promptly  declined  a  settlement 
at  Fitchburg,  if  the  church  had  not  "  voted  unani- 
mously, to  discontinue  the  practice  of  admitting  peo- 
ple to  covenant  for  baptism,  when  they  did  not  con- 
sider themselves  qualified  for  full  communion."  He 
was  informed,  also,  by  responsible  persons,  that  "  it 
had  been  long  in  contemplation  to  revise  the  Church 
Covenant ;  and  that  a  revisal  would  undoubtedly  take 
place,  immediately  after  the  ordination  of  a  pastor." 

Confiding  in  his  talents,  his  judgment,  and  discre- 
tion, and  in  hope  of  the  change  which  might  be 
wrought  in  the  town  and  vicinity,  some  of  his  clerical 
friends,  such  as  Dr.  Austin,  urged  his  acceptance  of 
the  call.  But  others  of  his  friends  were  not  easily 
persuaded,  that  it  could  be  his  duty.  Much  in  doubt 
and  greatly  perplexed,  he  earnestly  sought  counsel 
from  on  high.  While  hesitating,  he  decided  in  the 
negative,  and  \vrote  an  answer  accordingly.  He  laid 
it  by,  but  not,  as  is  supposed,  for  reconsideration. 

*  And  this  picture  will  certainly  not  be  considered  as  unduly  colored, 
when  it  is  added,  that  but  a  short  time  before  Dr.  Worcester's  settlement, 
there  was  a  mock  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  It  was  in  the  night. 
Amidst  the  scene  of  shocking:  hilarity  and  impiety,  a  young  man,  wrapped 
in  a  sheet,  and  disguised  by  a  frightful  mask,  suddenly  presented  himself. 
There  was  an  instantaneous  uproar  of  consternation.  The  hall  was  cleared, 
as  fast  as  the  revellers  could  push  one  another  down  the  stairs.  Never  wa« 
a  panic  created,  with  a  more  decisive  effect. 


196  MEMOIR    OF 

Riding  abroad,  a  new  view  of  the  question  was  sud- 
denly suggested,  and  his  decision  was  forthwith  re- 
versed. The  truth  was,  doubtless,  that  the  arguments, 
afhrmative  and  negative,  were  so  nearly  balanced, 
that  it  Avas  almost  impossible  for  him  to  determine  the 
preponderance.  He  had  considered  the  subject,  day 
and  night,  with  an  exhausting  solicitude ;  wishing 
most  devoutly  to  learn  what  the  Supreme  Disposer  of 
all  thinsrs  would  have  him  do.  And  as  not  unfre- 
quently  happens  in  a  change  of  scene,  his  harassed 
mind  recovered  its  wonted  elasticity,  and  was  quali- 
fied for  its  best  thoughts  and  wisest  judgments. 

His  final  decision,  though  sudden,  was  by  no  means 
hasty.  He  had  such  ample  preparation  for  it,  that  in 
the  event  he  had  no  ground  for  regret  or  self-reproach. 
He  felt  relieved,  and  was  happy  in  the  prevailing  as- 
surance, that  the  path  of  his  duty  was  plain.  When 
speaking  of  it,  at  a  later  day, — "  I  never  repented,"  he 
said  to  a  friend,  "  after  I  made  up  my  mind  to  go  : 
notwithstanding  all  my  trials."  The  remark  was  per- 
fectly in  character.  There  were  moments,  when  his 
mind  seemed  to  come  to  its  conclusions,  with  the  ra- 
pidity of  lightning ;  and  the  conclusions  thus  formed 
were  as  just,  as  any  upon  which  he  had  taken  the 
longest  time  to  deliberate.  Generally,  he  suspended 
his  decision  in  difficult  cases,  as  long  as  he  consistent- 
ly could.  But  what  he  avowed  as  his  firm  conviction, 
was  usually  as  clear  to  his  own  view,  as  a  demonstra- 
tion or  an  axiom  in  geometry. 

"  Fitchburg,  July  22,  1797. 

My  Brethren  and  fellow  candidates  for  immortality, — 

The  relation  between  pastor  and  church,  or  between 
minister  and   people,  is  a  relation  than  which  there  is 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  »         197 

none  in  its  nature  more  solemn,  or  in  its  consequences 
more  inij^ortaiit,  on  this  side  eternity. 

The  true  minister  of  the  gospel  is  the  ambassador 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  sent  to  negotiate  between 
God  and  man  the  great  concerns  of  judgment  and  of 
mercy-  He  has  it  in  solemn  charge  from  liis  Lord 
and  Master,  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God,  and 
to  keep  back  nothing,  which  may  be  profitable  to  the 
people,  whether  they  will  hear,  or  whether  they  will 
forbear.  And  if  he  obtain  grace  to  be  faithful  in  the 
great  business  of  his  embassy,  it  is  to  be  hoped  he 
will  have  many  souls,  as  seals  of  his  ministry,  and  as 
a  crown  of  rejoicing  in  the  presence  of  his  God.  Or, 
even  though  Israel  be  not  gathered,  still  shall  he  be 
glorious  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord.  But  if,  on  the  con- 
trary, he  handle  the  words  of  the  Lord  deceitfully,  and 
prove  unfaithful  to  God,  and  to  the  souls  of  his 
charge,  the  blood  of  those,  who  may  perish  forever 
through  his  unfaithfulness,  will  unquestionably  be  re- 
quired, with  rigor,  at  his  hands. 

Such  being  the  office  and  the  duty  of  the  true  gos- 
pel minister,  it  is  of  infinite  consequence  to  any  peo- 
ple, that  they  receive  and  treat  him  as  they  ought. 
If  he  bear  the  unequivocal  credentials  of  his  mission, 
whatever  they  do  to  him  as  Christ's  ambassador,  they 
do  indirectly  at  least,  to  Christ  himself.  "  He  that 
receiveth  you,  receiveth  me  ;  and  he  that  despiseth 
you,  despiseth  me."  And  they  ought  to  bear  it  in 
solemn  remembrance,  that  the  faithful  minister  is  unto 
God  a  sweet  savor  of  Christ,  in  them  that  are  saved, 
and  in  them  that  perish ;  to  the  one  he  is  a  savor  of 
death  unto  death,  and  to  the  other,  he  is  a  savor  of 
life  unto  life. 

The  matter,  therefore,  of  calling,  or  of  accepting  a 
call,  to  settle  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  is  a 
matter  which  always  demands  the  most  serious  and 
the  most  prayerful  deliberation.  For  it  is  a  matter 
which  looks  forward  to  consequences,  as  solemn  as  the 
judgment,  and  as  lasting  as  eternity. 

Deeply  impressed  with  considerations  like  these,  I 

17* 


198         ^  MEMOIR    OF 

have  thonght  it  not  well  to  be  hasty  in  answering  the 
call,  with  which  you,  my  brethren  and  friends,  have 
seen  meet  to  present  me.  Is  this  the  part  of  his  vine- 
yard, in  which  my  Lord  and  Master  has  called  me  to 
labor?  Is  this  the  flock,  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost 
will  make  me  an  overseer  ?  Is  there  a  prospect  of 
my  being  more  extensively  useful  here,  than  in  any 
other  place  ? 

These  are  questions,  which  have  pressed  on  my 
mind  with  inconceivable  weight ;  and  they  are  ques- 
tions, I  may  add,  which  in  my  situation,  have  been 
embarrassed  with  almost  insolvable  difficulties. 

At  length,  however,  although  my  path  of  duty  ap- 
pears not  altogether  so  plain  as  I  could  wish,  I  feel 
myself  under  a  prevailing  persuasion,  that  the  voice 
of  Providence  concurs  with  your  call.  Constrained, 
therefore,  as  I  am,  by  a  sense  of  duty,  to  give  you  an 
affirmative  answer,  I  now  in  this  solemn  manner,  de- 
clare my  acceptance  of  your  call,  and  my  willingness 
to  take  upon  myself  in  the  usual  way  the  oversight 
of  this  church,  and  the  charge  of  this  people,  as  soon 
as  God  in  his  providence  may  render  it  expedient. 
I  must,  nevertheless,  reserve  to  myself  the  liberty  of 
holding  two  Sabbaths  in  every  year,  as  exempt  from 
the  contract,  that  I  may  spend  them  as  occasion  may 
require. 

This  answer,  my  brethren  and  fellow  immortals, 
I  give  you  with  a  trembling  heart.  I  feel  in  some 
measure  my  insufficiency  for  the  arduous  task,  which 
I  contemplate  as  before  me ;  and  am  ready  to  cry 
out, — "  Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ?"  There  is 
great  encouragement,  however,  to  be  dra\vn  from  this 
gracious  assurance  of  our  Lord :  "  Lo,  I  am  with  you 
always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world."  And  may  I 
not  trust,  that  your  prayers  will  ever  mingle  with 
mine  before  the  throne  of  grace,  that  God  would  smile 
on  these  our  solemn  transactions,  and  make  them  sub- 
servient to  the  furtherance  of  your  salvation,  and  to 
the  glory  of  his  own  holy  name. 

Pray  for  me,  my  brethren,  pray  for  yourselves,  and 
pray  for  the  enlargement  of  Zion.     To  God,  I  trust, 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  199 

we   have   looked   for   direction,  and  with   God  let  us 
leave  the  event. 

Yours,  in  the  fellowship  and  service  of  the  Gospel, 

Samuel   Worcester. 

To  the  C/uffch  and  people  of  Fitchburg',''^ 


Mr.  Luther  Jcivett. 

"  Fitchhurg,  Aug;.  10///,  1797. 
My  dear  Friend, — 

A  letter  from  Z.  F.,  this  week,  informs  me  that  her 
last  from  B.  A.  contained  the  disagreeable  intelligence, 
that  you  were  lately  at  New  Ipswich,  on  a  tour  from 
Boston  to  your  father's  house,  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
cruiting your  health.  The  news  touched  me.  I  feel 
anxious  to  know  something  more  particularly.  And  in 
some  hope  that  this  letter  may  find  you  at  New  Ips- 
wich, I  hasten  to  forward  it  thither. 

Do  inform  me,  as  soon  as  may  be,  how  it  is  with 
you  in  every  respect.  I  conclude  you  have  been  una- 
ble to  write  much,  else  you  certainly  would  have  writ- 
ten me  before  now.  Surely,  I  need  not  tell  you  the 
concern  I  feel  for  your  health,  and  for  your  general 
welfare. 

For  myself,  I  am  here  ;  and  here,  perhaps,  I  may  be 
fixed  for  life.  You  have,  doubtless,  heard  how  it  has 
been  with  me,  for  some  time  past,  with  regard  to  calls, 
and  what  answers  I  have  returned  to  them.  AVhat  is 
to  be  my  lot  in  this  place,  God  only  knows,  and  tiuie 
only  must  declare.  The  aspect  of  things  here,  at  pre- 
sent, is  at  least  as  promising  for  good,  as  it  ever  has 
been  since  my  first  acquaintance  among  this  people. 
It  was  here  as  in  most  other  places ;  violent  and  invet- 
erate prejudices  reigned  predominant  in  the  minds  of 
by  far  the  greater  part.  They  were  determined  never 
to  like  a  Hopkinsian.  And  I  need  not  tell  you  what 
difficulties  I  have  had  to  encounter,  and  under  what 
disadvantages  I  have  had  to  labor.  But  I  believe  their 
prejudices  are,  by  this  time,   in  a  good   measure  de- 


200  MEMOIR    OF 

stroyed.  They  begin  to  think,  that  a  Hopkinsian  is 
not  that  dreadful  creature  they  had  contemplated.  At 
least  they  hear  with  more  candor,  and  reason  with 
more  coohiess.  Their  union  is  now  pretty  good,  and 
is  supposed  to  be  every  day  increasing  and  strength- 
ening. Some,  however,  to  the  number  of  three  or 
four,  oppose  with  warmth  and  obstinacy. 

Our  Sabbath  day  assemblies  are  apparently  more 
and  more  attentive  and  solemn ;  and  some  few,  as  I 
hope,  are  pretty  thoroughly  pricked  in  their  hearts. — 
Praised  be  God,  if  he  have  been  pleased  to  make  me 
the  instrument  of  any  good  to  this  people,  or  even  to 
a  single  soul.  Paul  may  plant,  and  Apollos  may  water, 
but  He  alone  can  give  the  increase. 

My  work  is  arduous  ;  but  it  is  pleasing  and  impor- 
tant. 

The  day  for  my  ordination  is  not  yet  appointed  ; 
and  whether  it  will  be  in  the  latter  part  of  September, 
or  in  the  former  part  of  October,  is  at  present  uncer- 
tain. 

Will  you  not  find  it  convenient  to  come  this  way 
and  make  me  a  visit,  before  you  return  to  Boston  ?  I 
wish  to  converse  with  you  about  many  things,  and  es- 
pecially about  one.  Perhaps  you  are  otherwise  deter- 
mined ;  but  I  need  not  tell  you  how  agreeable  it  would 
be  to  me,  that  you  should  sit  down  in  this  place. 
What  the  prospect  will  be,  by  the  time  you  wish  to 
settle  in  business,  I  cannot  say ;  but  if  I  calculate 
rightly,  it  will  be  pretty  good.  Come  here  and  see 
me,  that  I  may  tell  you  more  about  it. 

I  have  a  great  deal  to  do,  and  many  pressing  avo- 
cations distract  my  attention.  I  have  even  stolen  the 
time  for  writing  this  letter ;  but  I  trust  the  occasion 
will  justify  the  deed. 

By  our  friendship^  I  conjure  you,  write,  or  come  and 
see  me,  as  soon  as  you  can. 

While  on  our  way,  through  life's  deep  maze  we  hold, 
Seasons  roll  on,  and  new  scenes  still  unfold. 

Yours,  sincerely, 

Samuel  Worcester." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


201 


Dr.  Worcester's  view  of  the  relation  of  a  pastor  to 
the  eluireh  over  wliicli  he  is  phieed,  as  compared  with 
the  church  with  which  he  was  previously  connected, 
or  the  "  Chnrch  general,"  may  be  inferred  from  a  vote 
of  the  chm'ch  in  Fitchburg,  on  the  day  previous  to 
his  ordination.  "  In  virtue  of  a  letter  of  dismission 
from  the  church  of  Christ  in  Salisbury,  at  his  request, 
the  church  voted  to  receive  Mr.  Samuel  Worcester 
to  their  number  and  Christian  fellowship." 

September  27, 1797,  was  the  day  of  ordination.  The 
sermon  was  preached  by  Dr.  Austin,  on  "  the  nature, 
extent,  and  importance  of  the  duty,  binding  on  the 
Christian  minister^  divinely  commissioned  to  bear  the 
warnings  of  God  to  men."  The  preacher  thoroughly 
understood  the  circumstances  of  the  occasion,  as  well 
as  "  the  signs  of  the  times."  He  lifted  up  his  power- 
ful voice,  like  one  accustomed  to  "  cry  aloud  and  spare 
not." 

His  address  to  the  pastor  elect  implied,  it  will  be 
seen,  a  more  than  usual  degree  of  confidence,  that  he 
would  "  be  valiant  for  the  truth,"  and  "  endure  hard- 
ness as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ." 

"  The  audience  will  permit  me,  first  to  address  a  few 
words  to  my  young  friend,  the  pastor  elect. 

My  very  dear  Brother, — 
To  the  tender  part  I  take  in  your  personal  concern- 
ments, of  this  day,  you  are  not  a  stranger.  Our  hearts 
have  reciprocated  the  mutual  affection  of  brotherly 
love.  Agreeing,  generally  at  least,  in  the  same  Chris- 
tian sentiments,  devoted  to  the  same  Divine  Master, 
and  joint  partakers  in  the  same  efforts,  we  cannot  but 
share  in  each  other's  circumstances,  and  prospects.  I 
am  not,  on  this  occasion,  my  brother,  and  before  this 
discerning  auditory,  to  compliment  you,  on  any 
ground.     I  am  not  to  speak,  in  the  ears  of  these  men. 


202  MEMOIR    OF 

the  language  of  adulation  ;  but  that  of  soberness,  and 
good  counsel.     K  God  has   given  you  any  promising 
qualifications,  to  him   belongs  the   glory,  and  to  him 
their  use.     You  and  I  should  never  forget,  that  we  are, 
by  nature,  children  of  wrath,  even   as  others  ;  that  we 
are  encompassed  with  infirmities  ;  and   have  nothing, 
whereof  to  glory  before  God.     How  much  do  we  need 
the  constant  influx  of  the   Holy  Spirit,  to  enlarge  our 
hearts  in   all  liberal  desires,  and  prompt  us   onward, 
through  every  discouragement,  to  growing  zeal  in  our 
Lord's  service  !     To  you  our  subject  applies,  with  pe- 
culiar solemnity,  this  day.     To  you   our  common  Fa- 
ther speaks, — '  So  thou,  O  son  of  man,  I  have  set  thee 
a  watchman  unto  the  House  of  Israel ;  therefore,  thou 
shalt  hear  the  word  at  my  mouth,  and  warn  them  from 
me.'     You  have  your  commission.     You  must  fulfill  it. 
Wo  be  unto  you,  if  you  preach  not  the  Gospel  faith- 
fully.    Wo  be  unto  you,  if  any  temptations  lead  you 
to  betray  the   sacred  deposit.     You  have  put  on  the 
harness,  my  brother ;  never,  never  put  it  off.     Give  no 
place  to  the  devil.  Retreat  not  for  one  moment.  Main- 
tain your  ground,  as  a  good  soldier,  in  the  battles  of 
the  Lord.     You  need  not  a  miraculous  illapse  of  di- 
vine light,  to  furnish  you  with  a  foresight  of  innumera- 
ble trials.     '  But,  let  none  of  these  things   move  you. 
Neither,  may  you  count  your   own  life  dear  unto  you, 
so  that  you  may  finish  your  course  with  joy,  and  the 
ministry  which  you  this  day  receive  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
to  testify  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.'     You  love 
this  people.     You  will  love,  and  you  must  love  them. 
Under  the  influence  of  this  love,  you  must  be  to  them 
a  faithful  shepherd.     You   must  bear  the  warnings  of 
God  to  them,  opening  to  their  minds  just  views  of  the 
divine  character,  government,  and  law ;  of  the  nature 
of  sin  ;  of  their  total  depravity,  antecedent  to  regene- 
rating grace  ;  of  the  tremendous  misery,  to  which  the 
impenitent  are    constantly   exposed.     It  will   behove 
you  to  exhibit  to  them,  also,  the  single  way  of  escape ; 
to  press  them  with  the  feeling  of  absolute  dependence  ; 
and  to   strip  them  of  all  excuse,  while  they  refuse  to 
yield  to  the  claims  of  their  JNIaker.     This  service  you 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  203 

will  perform,  on  all  fit  occasions,  from  house  to  house, 
as  well  as  from  the  pulpit,  willi  bleeding  tenderness 
for  the  salvation  of  their  immortal  souls,  and  with 
habitual  prayer  to  him,  whose  promise  is,  '  Lo  I  am 
with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.' 
Brother,  you  are  a  dying  man.  Shortly,  your  connec- 
tion with  this  people  will  be  dissolved  ;  and  you  will 
meet  them  at  the  tribunal  of  the  Holy  Redeemer. 
Look  around  upon  them,  and  think  how  precious  their 
souls  are.  Can  you  bear  to  think  of  hearing  one  of 
them,  outside  of  the  shut  door,  crying  in  despair, 
'  Lord,  Lord,  open  to  me  ?  '  Then  be  faithful  to  them 
all ;  and  persevere  to  the  death.  It  is  probable,  that 
there  will  be  many  nominal  ministers  at  the  left  hand 
of  Christ,  at  his  appearing ;  as  there  are  always  false 
Christs,  and  false  prophets,  to  deceive,  if  it  were 
possible,  even  to  the  elect.  Take  heed,  then  ;  it  is  my 
fraternal  and  concluding  entreaty.  Take  heed  unto 
thyself,  and  to  thy  ministry,  that  thou  mayest  save 
thyself,  and  them  who  hear  thee." 

This    address  was  from  heart  to  heart,  awakening 
''  thoughts  "  which 

*    *    *    "do  often  lie  too  deep  for  tears." 

And  if  when  the  speaker  had  added  to  it  his  solemn 
charge  to  the  church  and  society,  the  emotions  of 
all  could  have  been  revealed,  or  the  disclosures  of  a 
few  months  afterwards  could  have  then  been  foreseen, 
the  new  pastor  would  have  received,  as  he  did,  the  cor- 
dial expression  of  the  best  wishes  of  his  numerous 
friends,  but  their  cheering  congratulations  would  have 
been  reserved  for  another  and  a  very  different  day ! 


204  MEMOIR    OF 


CHAPTER   V. 

Habits  and  modes  of  procedure,  as  a  settled  minister.  Marriage.  Domestic 
manag-ement.  Instruction  of  young  men.  Renewal  of  covenant  in  the 
Church,  with  the  adoption  of  new  Articles  of  Faith,  &c.  Palemon  to 
Alexis  Parental  feelings  and  character.  Anecdote  of  the  preaching  of 
the  brothers,  Noah,  Thomas,  and  Samuel.  Revival  at  Fitchburg.  Revi- 
vals in  many  places.  Missionary  spirit  promoted.  Formation  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts ]Missionary  Society.  Vindication  of  the  truth,  and  of  ministerial 
rights.     Oration  on  the  death  of  Washmgton,  &c  ,  &c. 

"  I  say  the  pulpit,  (in  the  sober  use 
Of  its  legitimate,  peculiar  powers,) 
Must  stand  acknowledged,  while  the  world  shall  stand, 
The  most  important  and  efl'ectual  guard, 
Support,  and  ornament,  of  virtue's  cause." 

In  his  first  sermon,  after  his  orclination.  Dr.  Worces- 
ter spoke  of  himself  as  one  of  those,  who  were  re- 
proachfully styled  Hopkinsians,  or  Hopkinsian  Cal- 
vinists.  As  a  candidate  he  had  honestly  preached  his 
personal  views  of  doctrine,  leaving  his  hearers  to  give 
their  own  name  to  his  theological  sentiments  and  af- 
finities. He  would  no  more  have  concealed  these, 
than  he  would  have  committed  perjury.  But  he  had 
to  deal  with  different  classes  of  hearers.  There  were 
those  who  cordially  agreed  with  him,  while  many  knew 
little  or  nothing  of  Hopkinsianism,  so  called,  "  save 
only  that  it  was  everywhere  spoken  against;"  others 
who  but  needed  to  be  "  taught  more  perfectly  "  what 
was  truly  denoted  by  the  term,  in  order  to  be  disabused 
of  violent  prejudices  ;  while  others  still  would  be  satis- 
fied with  nothing,  but  "  another  Gospel,  which  is  not 
another."  *     And   as    in  times  more  recent,  the  best 

*  The  profaneness  and  ribaldry  of  a  portion  of  these  last,  when  speaking 
of  the  sentiments  preached  in  the  pulpit  of  Fitchburg,  were  shocking  in  the 
extreme. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  205 

means  of  withstanding  evangelical  religion  has  been 
found  by  some,  in  a  hideous  earicature  of  Calvinism, 
there  were  those  of  highly  respectable  position,  who 
then  understood,  and  also  used,  far  too  often,  tliis  un- 
manly and  dishonorable  device  of  polemical  warfare. 

The  orthodoxy  of  the  new  pastor  was  so  much  at 
variance  with  the  principles  and  habits  of  many  in- 
habitants of  the  town — among  these  some  families  of 
leading  inlluence, — that  it  would  have  been  impossi- 
ble to  obtain  so  large  a  vote  as  was  given  for  his  set- 
tlement, if  it  had  not  been  for  his  high  reputation  as  a 
scholar.  Fully  sensible  of  his  own  liability  and  that 
of  his  particular  friends,  to  be  watched  at  every  point,  he 
proceeded  with  great  carefulness,  yet  with  a  straight- 
forward purpose  to  "  quit  himself  like  a  man,"  and  "  a 
man  of  God  ;  " — treating  all  persons  kindly  and  cour- 
teously, addressing  sound  argument  and  affectionate 
appeal  to  every  one,  so  that  the  "  enemies  of  all  right- 
eousness "  might  not  be  "  able  to  resist  the  wisdom 
and  the  spirit  by  which  he  spake." 

Courageous  as  he  naturally  was,  he  was  strongly 
disinclined  to  every  form  of  ecclesiastical  controversy. 
He  was  ready  for  any  sacrifice  of  merely  personal  feel- 
ing, rather  than  be  entangled  in  the  meshes  of  strife. 
Such,  however,  were  his  convictions  of  truth  and  duty, 
that  he  could  not  "  shun  to  declare  the  whole  counsel 
of  God,"  "  giving  to  every  man  a  portion  in  due  sea- 
son." Such,  in  general,  was  the  condition  of  the 
church  and  the  town,  that  he  had  a  work  before  him, 
which  was  like  that  of  turning  a  rocky  wilderness  into 
fruitful  fields  and  blooming  gardens. 

It  was  a  frequent  saying  of  a  godly  man,  who  loved 
him  as  his  very  soul, — "  Mr.  Worcester  was  the  first 
here,  that  tore  up  the  turf  I " 
18 


206  MEMOIR    OF 

Not  inattentive  to  the  calls  upon  him  for  parochial 
visits,  he  made  his  pulpit  the  first  object  of  his  care. 
He  believed  it  to  be  an  imperative  part  of  the  will  of 
his  Master,  and  indispensable  to  his  highest  useful- 
ness, that  he  should  be  a  "  scribe  instructed  unto  the 
kingdom  of  Heaven,"  who  "  is  like  unto  a  man  that  is 
an  householder,  which  bringeth  forth  out  of  his  treasure 
things  new  and  old." 

To  study,  was  but  little  "  weariness  "  of  the  spirit, 
however  much  it  was  to  the  weakness  of  the  flesh. 
And  while  there  is  no  end  to  "  the  making  of  many 
books,"  and  much  less  of  "  making  many "  sermons^ 
he  gave  himself,  day  and  night,  to  his  preparations  for 
the  Sabbath,  as  if  resolved  to  do  his  best,  both  in  the 
quality  and  number  of  his  discourses. 

He  never  went  to  his  work,  as  if  he  would  gladly 
be  excused.  His  study  was  a  "  loved  retreat ; "  and 
he  lived  in  it,  as  if  it  was  life  to  be  there.  The  exer- 
cise and  relaxation  which  he  took,  were,  in  general, 
more  as  if  a  toil  or  an  endurance  ;  while  his  intense 
application  was  relished  as  a  pastime.  Thus  was  he, 
at  the  beginning,  and  thus  always  afterwards.  But 
while  a  hard  student,  his  heart  "  grew  liquid,"  more 
and  more  ;  for  he  was  a  scholar  at  the  foot  of  the  cross. 

His  sermons  were  usually  written  out,  and  made  a 
fair  manuscript.  Occasionally,  he  preached  from  skel- 
etons ;  but  not  without  his  accustomed  carefulness,  in 
logical  method  and  rhetorical  accuracy.  In  some  in- 
stances, at  Fitchburg,  he  committed  sermons  to  mem- 
ory. The  task  was  easier  than  it  would  be  for  most 
ministers  ;  but  the  comparative  effect,  he  soon  thought, 
did  not  compensate  for  the  exertion. 

Previous  to  his  settlement,  he  had  written  but  few 
sermons.     It  is,  therefore,  no  uncertain  proof  of  his 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  207 

diligence,  that  when  he  had  been  settled  a  year  and  a 
half,  his  sermons  had  reached  the  luinilxT  134;  and  in 
April  1800,  or  two  years  and  a  half  after  his  settle- 
ment, a  sermon  bears  the  number  224. — Some  of  these 
were  double  sermons,  numbered  only  as  if  single. 

It  will  be  seen  at  once,  that  if  he  studied  the  sub- 
jects of  his  sermons,  and  wrote  with  care,  as  he  most 
certainly  did,  he  could  have  found  little  time,  that  he 
could  have  considered  intervals  of  leisure.  And  that 
he  could  have  written  so  much,  is  the  more  remarka- 
ble, as  his  attention  to  other  labors  was  so  manifold 
and  incessant,  that  these  alone  would  seem  more  than 
enough  for  any  one  man's  employment.  As  he  had 
been  before,  so  now  he  was  industrious  to  a  fault.  In 
"redeeming  time,"  it  might  have  been  said  of  him, 
that  he  was  "  righteous  overmuch."  But,  truly,  the 
days  were  evil. 

There  was  a  great  variety  in  his  ministrations.  His 
sermons  differed  much  from  those  of  most  of  the  clergy 
in  the  immediate  neighborhood ;  even  of  some  with 
whom  he  thought  it  best  to  cultivate  the  fellowship  of 
exchanges. 

His  doctrinal  sermons  were  practical,  and  his  prac- 
tical sermons  were  doctrinal.  He  had  such  a  knowl- 
edge of  men  as  they  are,  and  lived  so  much  as  in 
closest  contact  with  their  thoughts  and  intents,  that 
he  could  not  be  satisfied  with  any  mode  of  discussion, 
which  did  not  bear  upon  the  affections,  the  conscience, 
and  the  will,  with  a  powerful  concentration  of  impor- 
tant truth.  He  studied  the  Scriptures,  so  as  to  be 
always  ready  with  his  "  infallible  proofs  "  of  w^hat  he 
preached,  as  the  truth  of  God.  And  his  texts  were 
seldom,  or  never,  as  mottoes  only,  or  words  of  accom- 
modation ;    but   they  w^cre  to  his   sermons,  like   the 


208  MEMOIR    OF 

mountain  springs  to  the  streams  that  are  never 
dry. 

He  bestowed  great  labor  upon  the  plan  of  a  sermon  ; 
distributing  his  matter  under  appropriate  general 
heads,  and  marking  specifically  the  minuter  affinities 
of  a  just  classification.  In  the  selection  of  subjects 
adapted  to  the  wants  of  his  people  and  the  state  of 
the  times,  and  in  the  disposition  of  the  parts  and  top- 
ics of  a  discourse,  according  to  the  best  models,  few 
preachers  have  excelled  him. 

His  style  in  the  pulpit  was  neat,  and  elegant,  in  the 
proper  sense  of  the  term  ;  but  chiefly  marked  by  per- 
spicuity, precision,  and  strength.  For  exactness  and 
strict  congi'uity  of  thought  and  language,  he  gave  the 
preference  to  certain  words,  which,  at  least,  all  the 
children  could  not  have  understood ;  and  which  those 
of  "  larger  growth  "  might  have  need  or  inducement  to 
search  out  diligently.  But  words  of  this  character 
were  so  few,  or  were  so  used,  as  not  to  obscure  his 
meaning  to  an  attentive  hearer,  of  common  intelli- 
gence ;  or  to  be  questionable,  except  to  the  uncandid 
and  censorious. — Some  who  thought  him  verbose  and 
diffuse,  were  always  brought  to  a  stand,  when  asked 
to  alter  a  given  sentence,  so  as  to  retain  the  exact  idea 
intended,  but  omitting  a  part  of  the  writer's  own  ex- 
pression. 

One  of  the  surest  tokens  of  his  excellence  as  a  preach- 
er was  the  attention  of  the  children  and  youth  to  his 
sermons,  as  well  as  to  his  catechetical  instructions. 
There  are  living  witnesses,  who  have  much  pleasure 
in  remembering  how  interested  they  were,  in  their 
early  days,  when  they  heard  him  preach,  even  his  most 
elevated  and  elaborate  discourses.  They  could  always 
find  something,  which  they  at  least  thought  that  they 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  209 

iindorstood  ;  while  his  manner  alone  left  upon  their 
tender  hearts  a  serious  and  salutary  impression.  He 
preached  to  them,  at  times,  in  a  whole  discourse,  and 
with  very  happy  etrect.  He  often  addressed  them,  in  the 
application  of  his  other  sermons  ;  as  if  he  would  have 
them  feel,  that  he  was  always  preaching  to  the  young, 
as  well  as  to  the  old. 

His  care  of  the  children  was  very  constant  and  af- 
fectionate, in  every  way  by  which  he  could  gain  influ- 
ence over  them,  both  for  their  mental  and  s})iritaal  cul- 
ture. When  he  saw  them  at  their  homes,  or  met  them 
in  the  road,  he  would  call  them  to  him,  as  to  a  father; 
and  what  he  said  to  them,  as  he  put  his  hand  upon 
their  heads,  and  smiled  into  their  delighted  faces,  or 
exchanged  a  sweet  salutation  of  the  lips,  many  of  them 
so  laid  up  in  their  hearts,  that  the  years  of  more  thg.n 
half  a  century  have  not  effaced  the  memory. 

When  at  their  meetings  to  recite  the  catechism,  any 
of  them  were  restive  and  unquiet,  he  would  not  speak 
to  them,  as  if  he  were  displeased  or  excited. — But  in 
the  mildest  manner  and  most  winning,  he  would  say  : 
<'  My  little  children^  you  ivill  all  try  to  be  as  still  as  you 
possibly  can  beP  He  never  thus  spoke  in  vain. — "  We 
all  loved  him,"  says  one  of  the  survivors,  "  and  we 
feared  him,  too."  The  remark  must  be  understood,  as 
particularly  applicable  to  the  children  of  the  parents 
who  loved  him. 

He  devoted  much  time  to  the  common  schools  of 
the  town,  and  gave  great  impulse  to  popular  education 
among  all  classes ;  believing  that  the  intellectual  ad- 
vancement of  the  rising  generation  was  most  intimate- 
ly connected  with  his  own  highest  usefulness  as  their 
pastor. — He  also  opened  a  chamber  in  his  own  house, 
as  a  school-room,  in  which  he  taught  some  of  the  older 
18* 


210  MEMOIR    OF 

youth,  in  studies  not  pursued  in  the  schools  of  the 
town.  Several  were  qualified  by  him  to  be  teachers, 
who,  in  their  own  town,  or  elsewhere,  did  much  to 
raise  the  standard  of  common  school  instruction. 

A  singing-school  he  also  taught ;  and  was  unwearied 
in  encouraging  all,  who  had  an  ear  and  voice  for  sa- 
cred music,  to  cultivate  their  talents.  He  would  meet 
the  members  of  the  choir,  from  time  to  time,  and  give 
them  the  benefit  of  his  fine  taste  and  skill.  Especially 
would  he  assist  them,  when  any  extraordinary  occa- 
sion called  for  an  anthem,  and  other  appropriate  selec- 
tions of  psalmody. 

In  church-meetings,  in  conference-meetings,  in  week- 
ly lectures,  in  social  visiting, — in  short,  in  all  modes 
of  access  to  the  minds  of  his  people,  he  was  indefati- 
gable in  efforts  for  their  improvement,  happiness,  and 
usefulness. 

He  adhered  through  life  to  the  general  system  of 
doctrines  w^ith  which  he  began  his  ministry ;  as  well 
as  to  his  early  habits  of  elevated  and  thoroughly 
studied  style  of  preaching.  Still,  his  sermons  at  Fitch- 
burg  were  more  uniformly  cast  in  the  distinctive  Hop- 
kinsian  mould,  than  those  written  at  Salem.  Grow- 
ing in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ ;  increasingly  susceptible  of  the  tender  and 
melting  attractions  of  the  cross, — the  atonement  be- 
came to  him,  theoretically  and  practically,  the  "  all 
IN  ALL  "  of  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God. 
And  hence  it  was  his  special  delight  to  preach  Christ 
AND  him  crucified;  and  as  his  heart  went  forth  in  the 
expanded  charities,  which  embraced  the  whole  world's 
evangelization,  he  gave  less  and  less  prominence,  and 
less  and  less  space,  to  those  statements  and  discussions 
of  dogmatic  and  metaphysical  theology,  which  entered 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  211 

largely  into  his  earlier  ministrations,  and  for  which 
there  was  then  a  most  urgent  demand,  lliroughout 
New  England.* 

Ill  the  month  of  October,  after  his  ordination,  Dr. 
Worcester  was  united  in  marriac^e  with  Miss  Zervia 
Fox,  of  IloUis.  She  was  eight  years  younger  than 
himself,  and  was  a  pupil  in  several  of  the  schools, 
which  he  had  taught.  Her  father,  Dr.  Jonathan  Fox, 
who  was  a  pious  physician,  very  highly  respected,  died 
at  an  early  age.  She  received  from  her  mother,  the 
instructions,  with  the  example  of  one,  who  sought  to 
bring  up  her  children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition 
of  the  Lord. — In  the  kind  providence  of  God,  she  was 
spared  to  her  husband,  a  "helpmate,"  indeed,  through 
the  whole  period  of  his  public  life  ;  ministering  to  him 
most  faithfully  in  all  the  offices  of  their  sacred  and 
endeared  relation.  Of  his  own  feelings  as  a  husband 
and  father,  illustrations  can  be  given.  But  of  herself, 
as  she  still  survives,  no  more  is  permitted  to  be  said  in 
this  place. 

The  letter  which  follows  was  superscribed,  "  Deacon 
Leonard  Worcester,  Worcester."  It  was  dated.  Fitch- 
burg,  7th  Feb.,  1798. 

My  dear  Brother, — 

Till  this  dav,  I  have  not  heard  a  word  from  Worces- 
ter,  since  I  saw  Mr.  Austin.     I  congratulate  you,  with 

*  Dr.  Worcester  probably  never  adopted  any  article  of  belief,  called  Hop- 
kinsianism,  unless  it  was  such  as  had  been  already  recognized  as  a  part  of 
Ihe  theology  of  Edwards,  or  was  a  legitimate,  and  not  an  ultra  inference 
from  well  established  facts  and  principles.  And  tiie  vitality  of  IIopki<ianism, 
as  received  by  divines  of  his  order,  has,  within  lifiy  years  j'ast,  so  pervaded 
Ihe  orthodoxy  of  New  England,  and  that  too,  so  silently  and  imj)erceptibly , 
that  there  are  hundreds  of  very  good  Hopkinsian  ministers,  who  may  never 
have  given  any  more  particular  attention  to  Hopkins's  '•  System  of  Divinity," 
than  to  the  "  Aphorisms  "  of  Confucius. 


212  MEMOIR    OF 

warmest  cordiality,  on  the  pleasure  with  which  you 
embrace  another  babe — another  son.  May  Heaven, 
from  whose  benignant  hand  you  received  the  dear 
pledge,  make  it  a  comfort  to  you,  and  a  blessing  to 
the  world.*  May  it  heal  the  ivonnd,  as  yet,  perhaps, 
bleeding,  in  the  bosom  of  its  parents.  I  am  rejoiced 
to  hear  that  my  sister  is  so  comfortable.  How  tender 
must  be  your  feelings — how  ardent  your  gratitude  I — 
But  we  have  a  brother  who  claims  our  sympathy. — 
When  presenting,  and  receiving  fraternal  congratula- 
tions, the  spontaneous  tear  reminds  us  of  him;  f  and  the 
fervent  aspiration  escapes  from  the  heart.  His  God, 
however,  lives. 

For  a  considerable  part  of  the  time,  since  we  re- 
moved, your  sister,  (if  you  will  please  to  acknowledge 
the  relation,)  has  not  been  favored  with  her  usual  state 
of  health.     She  is  still  unwell. 

Either  next  week,  or  the  week  after  next,  is  the  time 
on  which  I  fixed,  more  than  two  months  ago,  for  a 
ride  to  Worcester.  But  upon  that  time,  I  have  not  as 
yet  been  able  to  lay  my  hand.  Like  happiness,  when 
pursued  through  the  streets  of  this  world,  it  seems  just 
before  me,  but  is  not  to  be  overtaken.  Hope,  however, 
still  remains. 

What  have  you  done  about  ordination  sermons  ?  I 
expected  to  have  seen  Mr.  Hall,  on  his  return  from 
Sutton.  But  as  he  returned  another  way,  and  sent  me 
no  intelligence,  I  have  been  quite  at  a  loss  with  respect 
to  the  charge  and  right  hand.  I  have  transiently  heard, 
however,  that  the  sermons  are  out.  I  hope  that  this 
is  the  case.  And  if  it  be,  will  you  please  to  send  me 
a  hundred  or  two  by  brother  Smith  ? 

My  father  wishes  me  to  write  concerning  David!  I 
need  not  give  the  history  of  the  unhappy  aftliir  which 
renders  him,  at  present,  an  object  of  parental  solici- 
tude.— If  I  rightly  judge,  it  is  my  father's  desire,  that 
you  would  take  him  for  a  time,  and  that  afterward  he 

*  It  has  been  even  so.    That  Hllle  son  was  baptized — Samuel   Austin 
Worcester. 

t  Their  brother  Noah  had  recently  been  bereaved  of  his  inestimable  wife. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


213 


should  live  with  me.  The  particular  reason,  why  ho 
wishes  David  to  live  with  yon,  is,  that  hv.  thinks,  that 
with  you  he  would  be  more  likely  to  be  kc^pt  in  busi- 
ness, and  have  fewer  temptations.  And  tiu;  reason, 
why  he  wishes  him  to  live  with  me,  is,  that  he  may 
be  in  the  way  of  an  education.  My  father  seemed 
aware,  that  it  could  not  be  very  agreeable  to  you  to 
take  him.  It  is  a  solicitous  atfair ;  and  for  myself,  I 
feel  ready  to  agree  to  what  shall,  on  tin;  whole,  be 
thought  best.  David  is  naturally  a  bright  ])C)y.  Mr. 
Smith  can  give  you  more  particular  information,  and 
to  him  I  refer  you  for  the  rest* 

Your  sister  joins  in  congratulations,  and  good 
wishes,  with  your  affectionate  brother, 

Samuel  Worcester. 

IVIr.  Leonard  Worcester." 

In  the  management  of  his  dom.estic  affairs,  he  was 
mindful  of  the  importance  of  having  his  house  in 
order,  and  of  giving  his  parishioners  a  good  example. 
He  spent  little  time,  however,  upon  his  worldly  inter- 
ests. Not  even  his  garden  had  much  more  of  his  at- 
tention, than  if  it  had  been  supposed  capable  of  tak- 
ing thought  for  itself.  It  seemed  as  if  he  felt,  that  his 
salary  should  support  him,  without  any  sweat  of  his 
brow  in  sowing  or  reaping.f  He  was  obliged  to  live 
frugally,  that  he  might  be  just,  and  "  owe  no  man  any 
thing,"  beyond  his  means,  as  well  as  his  intentions  to 
pay.  But  he  was  so  "  given  to  hospitality,"  that  his 
guests  loved  to  see  him  again  at  his  own  table.  He 
was  high-minded  and  generous,  in  all  his  pecuniary 
transactions  ;  and-  as  far  as  the   farthest,  from  covet- 

*This  was  a  half-brother,  who,  after  a  short  season  of  youtliful  irregular- 
ity, gave  promise  of  aa  excellent  character  in  manhood,  and,  perliaps,  of 
distinction.  Bui  he  died  suddenly,  at  the  age  of  twenty  three.  lie  was 
much  beloved  and  lamented. 

+  He  was  to  receive  $333  33,  for  salary,  with  the  use  of  some  land,  worth, 
perhaps,  a  hundred  more. 


214  MEMOIR    OF 

oiisness,  or  any  form  of  calculating  selfishness.  A 
mean  action  would  have  been  as  revolting  to  his  feel- 
ings, as  a  petty  larceny.  Irreproachable  in  the  morals 
of  good  manners,  and  the  manners  of  good  morals, 
none  could  "  find  occasion  against "  him,  "  except  con- 
cerning the  law  of  his  God." 

His  preaching  was  thus  enforced  by  his  daily  walk 
and  conversation.  Whatever  he  inculcated  upon 
others,  it  was  his  evident  purpose  to  do  himself.  Of 
his  secret  communion  with  God,  his  people,  of  course, 
would  know  little,  if  anything,  except  as  he  was  seen 
to  be  "  rewarded  openly."  But  he  was  a  man,  who 
led  others  in  prayer,  with  no  common  "unction  from 
the  Holy  One  ;"  and  there  was  no  occasion  to  inquire, 
if  he  "  entered  his  closet." — In  no  duty  of  his  private 
life  was  he  more  faithful,  than  in  his  devout  observ- 
ance of  holy  time.  He  was  in  this  a  pattern  for  all. 
And  before  the  sun  went  down  on  Saturday  evening, 
the  hour  of  "preparation"  in  his  family  had  fully 
come. 

To  the  regular  labors  of  the  ministry.  Dr.  Worces- 
ter added  the  instruction  of  a  few  young  men  ;  princi- 
pally of  those  who  were  fitting  for  college.  As  they 
boarded  in  his  family,  he  hoped  to  derive  a  pecuniary 
benefit,  which,  with  his  limited  salary,  was  much 
needed.  He  wished  also  not  to  lose  his  acquaintance 
with  the  classic  languages.  At  the  same  time,  he  felt 
as  the  highest  motive,  the  hope  of  doing  the  greater 
service  to  the  Church  and  the  world. 

A  .  "  Filchhur^,  April  9,  1798. 

My  dear  brffi>er, — 

I  am  this  moment  informed,  by  Mr.  F****,  that  he 
is  fifoinfi:  this  afternoon  to  Worcester.  Mr.  F.  is  re- 
siding  with  me,  at  present,  as  a  student.     He  has,  for 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  215 

some  time,  been  studying  with  a  design  to  prosecute 
a  puhlie  education.  ]]ut  as  his  finances  are  low,  and 
he  considerably  advanced  in  years,  he  has  now  aban- 
doned the  design  of  a  public  education,  and  has  placed 
himself  here,  to  be  directed  and  assisted  in  his  studies 
by  me.  The  profession  of  divinity  is  his  object;  and 
it  is  with  regard  to  this,  that  his  studies  are  to  be  di- 
rected. '  Has  my  brother,  then,  become  a  theological 
preceptor  ?'  No. — I  expect  only  to  prc])are  Mr.  F.  to 
pursue  the  study  of  divinity,  under  the  direction  of  a 
more  skilful  instructor.  I  said  'to  prepare  him  for  the 
study  of  divinity  :'  but  I  fear,  indeed,  that  he  has  not, 
as  yet,  that  necessary  pre-requisite,  which  it  is  the 
prerogative  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  solely,  to  give.  If 
he  continues  with  me,  however,  I  must  direct  his  at- 
tention, in  a  variety  of  studies;  and  among  the  rest, 
in  the  reading  of  some  theological  books.  If  you 
could  procure  from  INIr.  Austin  for  me  the  loan  of  Dr. 
Clarke,  on  the  Being  and  Attributes  of  God,  it  would 
be  an  obligement,  I  suppose,  to  Mr.  F.  and  to  my- 
self.* 

I  shall  return  you,  by  this  conveyance,  the  volume  of 
Sermons,  which  I  have  kept  too  long.  I  think  it  an 
excellent  volume ;  its  words  are  like  goads.  If  it  be 
convenient,  will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  send  me  Newton 
on  the  Prophecies  ?  If  you  cannot  send  that,  please 
to  send  me  the  book,  which  you  want  me  to  read 
most. 

The  renewal  of  our  chvirch  covenant  is  contemplat- 
ed, as  an  immediate  object.  It  is  an  important  and 
solemn  affair.  I  have  endeavored,  by  subjects  chosen 
for  the  purpose,  to  prepare  the  minds  of  the  brethren, 
in  some  measure,  for  the  business.  But  how  I  shall 
succeed  in  establishing  a  covenant  and  confession, 
which  will  answer  my  feelings,  is  matter  of  uncer- 
tainty.    Indeed    I   am  not  without   my   fears.     The 

*  The  young-  man  remained  wiih  Dr.  Worcester  but  a  short  time,  and 
afterwards  became  a  Universalist  preacher.  But  there  were  others,  hke  the 
eminent  Samuel  Shatiuck,  M.  D.,  of  Boston,  upon  whom  he  could  after- 
wards look  with  much  pleasure,  and  who  remembered  him  with  most  cor- 
dial respect  and  gratitude. 


216  MEMOIR    OF 

great  Head  of  the  Church,  however,  will  order  the 
matter,  as  will  be  most  for  his  glory.  And  to  his  di- 
rection I  would  wish,  submissively,  to  refer  it.  Write 
me,  if  you  have  leisure,  what  your  feelings  would  be, 
with  regard  to  setting  the  doors  of  the  church  open  to 
professed  Universalists ! 

Mr.  F.  is  in  haste.  If  you  have  by  you  a  copy  of 
your  church  covenant  and  confession  of  faith,  be  so 
kind  as  to  send  it  by  the  bearer. 

Accept  our  usual  salutations — respects  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Austin. 

Samuel  Worcester. 

Mr.  Leonard  Worcester." 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1798,  the  contemplated  re- 
visal  of  the  covenant  was  brought  forward  in  regular 
church-meeting.  The  vote  for revisa]  was  unanimous* 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  revised  form; 
and  with  them  it  was  left,  discretionarily,  whether  to 
prepare  a  confession  of  faith,  distinct  from  the  cove- 
nant, or  to  exhibit  both  in  one.  A  revised  form  was 
soon  prepared  by  the  committee,  and  submitted  to  the 
church.  But  it  met  with  opposition.  The  Universal- 
ists in  the  church,  and  some  others,  raised  clamors 
against  it,  and  used  their  utmost  exertions  to  prevent 
its  adoption.  It  was  deemed  prudent  not  to  push  the 
matter  hastily ;  but  to  give  time,  and  to  use  all  proper 
means  to  conciliate  and  harmonize.  At  length,  how- 
ever, Sept.  11,  1798,  the  revised  form  of  covenant  and 
distinct  articles  of  faith  were  received  and  established 
in  the  church.  The  "  Articles"  are  inserted  here,  that 
the  pastor's  own  "  faith "  may  have  a  distinct  and 
explicit  witness,  in  this  Memoir  of  his  life. 

*  It  is  not  to  be  supposed,  that  all  the  members  were  present. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  217 

Doctrine  of  Failh.* 

Art.  1.  Yoii  believe,  that  there  is  but  one  God  ; 
the  sole  Creator,  Preserver,  and  moral  Govenor  of  the 
universe;  a  being  of  infinite  power,  wisdom,  justice, 
goodness  and  truth  ;  the  self-existent,  independent,  and 
unehancfeable  fountain  of  sjood. 

Art.  2.  You  believe,  that  the  scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testament  were  given  by  inspiration  of  God ; 
that  they  contain  a  complete  and  harmonious  system 
of  divine  truth  ;  and  are  our  only  and  perfect  rule  of 
doctrinal  belief  and  religious  practice. 

Art.  3.  You  believe,  that  according  to  the  Scrip- 
tures, there  are,  in  the  unity  of  the  Godhead,  a  Trinity 
of  persons,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost ;  that  these 
three  persons  are  in  essence  one,  and  in  all  divine  at- 
tributes equal. 

Art.  4.  Yon  believe,  that  the  one  Supreme  God 
has  made  all  things  for  himself;  that  known  unto  him 
are  all  his  works  from  the  beginning ;  and  that  he 
governs  all  things  according  to  the  holy  and  unchang- 
ing counsels  of  his  own  will. 

Art.  5.  You  believe,  that  the  divine  lav/,  and  the 
principles,  and  administration  of  the  divine  govern- 
ment, are  perfectly  holy,  and  just,  and  good. 

Art.  6.  You  believe,  that  the  first  parents  of  the 
human  race,  were  originally  holy  in  the  image  of  God ; 
and  that  they  fell  from  their  original  state,  by  volun- 
tarily transgressing  the  divine  command  in  the  article 
of  forbidden  fruit. 

Art.  7.  You  believe,  that  in  consequence  of  the 
first  apostacy,  the  heart  of  man  in  his  natural  state  is 
enmity  against  God,  fully  set  to  do  evil,  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins. 

Art.  8.  You  believe,  that  Christ  the  Son  of  God, 
equal  with  the  Father,  has,  by  his  obedience,  suffer- 
ings, and  blood,  made  infinite  atonement  for  sin  ;  that 

*  This  Confession  of  Faith  appears  to  have  been  formcfl  by  the  pastor, 
from  a  document  wliich  he  is  supposed  to  have  drawn  up  Ibr  his  own  pri- 
vate use,  when  heensed  to  preach,  or  at  his  ordiaation. 

19 


218  MEMOIR    OP 

he  is  the  only  Redeemer  of  sinners  ;  and  that  all  who 
are  saved,  will  be  indebted,  altogether,  to  the  sovereign 
grace  of  God  through  his  atonement. 

Art.  9.  Yon  believe,  although  the  invitation  of  the 
gospel  be  such,  that  whosoever  will  may  take  of  the 
water  of  life  freely ;  yet  so  great  is  the  enmity  of  the 
carnal  mind  against  God  and  the  gospel,  that  no  man 
can  come  to  Christ,  except  the  Father,  by  the  special 
regenerating  influence  of  his  Holy  Spirit  draw  him. 

Art.  10.  You  believe,  that  those,  who  embrace  the 
gospel,  were  chosen  in  Christ  to  salvation  before  the 
world  began  ;  and  that  they  are  saved,  not  by  works 
of  righteousness  which  they  have  done,  but  according 
to  the  distinguishing  mercy  of  God,  by  the  washing 
of  regeneration  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Art.  11.  You  believe,  that  for  those,  who  once  be- 
lieve in  Christ,  there  is  no  condemnation,  but  they  will 
be  kept  by  the  mighty  power  of  God  through  faith 
unto  salvation. 

Art.  12.  You  believe,  that  there  will  be  a  general 
resurrection  of  the  bodies,  both  of  the  just  and  of  the 
unjust. 

Art.  13.  You  believe,  that  all  mankind  must  one 
day  stand  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ,  to  re- 
ceive a  sentence  of  just  and  final  retribution,  accord- 
ing to  their  respective  works ;  and  that  from  the  judg- 
ment-seat, the  wicked  will  go  away  into  everlasting 
punishment,  but  the  righteous  into  life  eternal. 

Art.  14.  You  believe,  that  Christ  has  a  visible 
church  in  the  world,  into  which  none,  in  the  sight  of 
God,  but  real  believers,  and  none,  in  the  sight  of  men, 
but  visible  believers,  have  right  of  admission. 

Art.  15.  You  believe,  that  the  sacraments  of  the 
New  Testament  are  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper ; 
that  believers  of  regular  church  standing  only  can  con- 
sistently partake  of  the  holy  supper ;  and  that  visible 
believers  with  their  households  only  can  be  consist- 
ently admitted  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism. 

The  covenant  was  no  "  half-way  covenant ;"  and 
whatever  difficulties  were  apprehended  in  introducing 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  219 

and  establishing  the  "Doctrine  of  faith,"  the  pastor 
does  not  seem  to  liave  been  niueli  disquieted.  He 
made  all  his  arrangements,  as  if  expecting  a  perma- 
nent abode  at  Fitchburg.  He  built  a  house,  and  with 
such  resources  as  he  could  command,  took  counsel  for 
his  household,  not  as  one,  that  anticipated  a  prema- 
ture or  near  departure.* 

In  so  doing,  he  had. the  concurrence  of  his  warm 
friends,  who  forsook  him  not  in  the  days  of  his  trial. 
No  better  friends  did  any  pastor  ever  find,  than  some 
whom  he  there  had  the  happiness  to  enjoy. 

He  was  a  constant  observer  of  public  affairs,  and 
did  not  feel  that  he  was  in  any  sense  disfranchised, 
because  of  his  relation  to  "  the  kingdom  "  which  "  is 
not  of  this  world." — Some  of  the  results  of  his  politi- 
cal "  musing  "  may  be  seen  in  a  remembrance  of  his 
friend  "  Alexis."  This  is  the  last  of  "  Palemon  ;"  and 
is  most  plainly  an  effort^  towards  an  agreeable  episode 
in  the  serious  epic,  which  he  had  commenced. 

To  Alexis, 

"J;//y,  1798. 
My  Friend, — 

When  we  look  into  the  history  of  republics,  whether 
ancient  or  modern,  we  find  them  all  to  have  been  ob- 
noxious to  the  rage  of  faction,  or  at  least,  to  the  mania 
of  party  disaffection.  The  same  is  the  fate  of  our  own 
dear  country.  I  shall  not  undertake  to  give  in  this 
letter,  a  history  of  the  party  spirit,  which  is  at  this 
day  so  prevalent,  and  in  many  instances   outrageous 

*  Ministers  were  settled  for  life,  and  not  with  the  clause  of  the  "  six 
months'  notice,"  in  the  contract ;  but  he  might  not  have  objected,  as  some 
have,  to  the  innovation  upon  the  ancient  usag-e.  Twenty  years  afterwards, 
when  asked  his  opinion  upon  the  propriety  of  such  a  mode  of  settlement,  he 
pleasantly  answered  :  "  Well,  I  do  not  know  :  so)ne  horses  stand  best,  with- 
out tyi7ig  r' 


220  MExMOIR    OF 

among  us.     A  remark,  however,  upon  the  influence  of 
the  press  on  this  spirit,  may  not  be  unacceptable.     As 
it  has  been  my  lot,  within  a  few  years,  to  reside  for  a 
longer  or  shorter  time,  in  different  parts  of  Massachu- 
setts and   New   Hampshire,  I  have  had   considerable 
opportunity  to  notice  the   opposite  political  opinions, 
which  obtain  in  places  where   different  public  papers 
have    circulation.       Two    papers    printed    at   Boston, 
*  The    Columbian    Centinel,'   and    '  The    Independent 
Chronicle,'  seem  to  have  taken  the  lead,  among  these 
vehicles  of  political  information,  and  fomenters  of  par- 
ty spirit.     '  The  Centinel '  is  what  is  called  a  Federal, 
or  by  some,  an   aristocratic  paper.     '  The    Chronicle  ' 
is  anti-Federal  or  Jacobinic.     In  towns  or  districts,  in 
which   the    Centinel,  or  papers  of  the  same  political 
stamp,  have  pretty  general  reception,  the   people   are 
federal,  or  strongly  in   favor  with  the  existing  Federal 
Government,  and  with  the  leading  measures  of  admin- 
istration.    On  the  other  hand,  in  those  portions  of  the 
country,  where  the   Chronicle  has  circulation,  the  peo- 
ple are  opposed  to  the  government,  or   at  least  to  the 
admistration.     I  have  found  it  indeed,  to  have  been 
almost  invariably  the  case,  that  the  man  who  has  been 
in  the  habit  of  reading  the  Chronicle,  or  a  paper  of  the 
same   description,  as  his  principal  source  of  political 
information,  has   enlisted  himself  under  the  banner  of 
what  is  usually  termed  Jacobinical  opposition  ;  while 
those  who  have  not  been  under  the  influence  of  such 
papers,  are  as  invariably  well  contented  with  the  gov- 
ernment, and  well  affected  towards  administration.    A 
man's  political   sentiments,  or  party  standing,  may  be 
known,  generally^  to  be  sure,  by  the  public  paper  which 
he  reads,  or  rather  has  been  in  the  habit  of  reading. 
This    you   may  say   is   nothing  remarkal)le.     A  man 
would  doubtless  choose  the  paper,  which  best  accords 
with  his  own   feelings   and   views.     Be  it  so.     It  is  a 
fact,  however,  which    I  have   found  none   disposed  to 
deny,  that,  as   a   general   case,   peojile    have  not  first 
formed   their  political  opinions,  and   of  course,  taken 
their  sides ^  and  afterwards  chosen   their  paper  accord- 
ingly ;  but  have  formed  their  opinions,  and  derived 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  221 

their  feelings  from    tltelr   papers ^    in    the    first    in- 
stance. 

The  two  papers  above  specified,  had  opened  to 
themselves  an  extensive  circulation,  anterior  to  the 
rise  of  the  existing  party  spirit;  at  least,  before  it  had 
taken  the  direction  which  it  now  holds.  After  they 
declared  in  opposition  to  each  other,  they  were  still  re- 
ceived and  read,  within  their  respective  established 
circles,  and  from  them  the  people  imbibed  their  politi- 
cal notions  and  party  spirit.  I  say  '  from  them,''  not 
however,  from  the  Centinel  and  Chronicle  only,  but 
from  them,  and  others  of  their  respective  complexion. 

As  it  has  been  in  this  section  of  the  Union  ;  so  also 
has  it  been,  as  is  thought,  throughout  the  whole.  Pub- 
lic papers  have  been  made  the  engines  of  party,  and 
have  respectively  shaped  the  political  opinions  and 
characters  of  their  readers,  according  to  their  own 
model.  Especially  has  this  been  the  case,  in  regard 
to  those  in  opposition.  The  mass  of  the  people  are, 
perhaps  generally,  disposed  to  be  quiet  under  their 
government,  if  not  extremel// oppressive ;  unless  their 
feelings  and  passions  be  excited  and  influenced,  by 
factious  harangues  or  publications.  Hence  those  more 
especially,  who  are  found  in  opposition,  have  doubt- 
less been  moulded  into  their  present  temper,  principal- 
ly by  the  influences  of  the  public  papers,  which  they 
have  read. 

What  will  be  the  issue  of  the.  party  effervescence, 
now  increasing  through  the  state,  I  will  not  undertake 
to  predict ;  but  may  that  auspicious  providence,  w^hich 
has  hitherto  attended  on  our  national  concernments, 
attend  them  still,  and  preserve  us  from  every  destruc- 
tive calamity. 

Yours,  most  affectionately, 

Palemon." 

August  2d,  he  wrote  to  his  friend  Jewett  a  brief  let- 
ter, apologizing  for  his  expected  absence  at  the  ap- 
proaching Commencement,  which  to  his  class  was  the 
time  for  the  "  Second  Degree."     But  he  had  first  of  all 

19* 


222  MEMOIR    OP 

to  commnnicate  the  joy  which  had  that  day  been  af- 
forded, by  the  "  present  of  a  lovely  daughter.  Thanks 
be  to  that  God,  from  whose  hand  we  receive  every 
blessing." 

This  daughter  was  born,  Aug.  1. — On  the  Sabbath 
following,  as  w^as  the  custom  of  the  Puritan  fathers,  he 
gave  public  thanks  for  the  token  of  divine  favor.  And 
on  the  same  Sabbath,  or  Aug.  5th,  the  little  one  was 
carried  to  the  house  of  God,  that  it  might  be  dedicated 
to  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, — in  the  ordi- 
nance, which  the  father  ever  administered  with  im- 
pressive   solemnity.*     And   those  who   ever  saw  him 


*  As  the  former  seal  of  the  covenant  was  appointed  for  the  eighth  day.,  it 
was  his  desire  that  his  children  should  be  baptized,  as  nearly  at  the  same  age 
as  might  be  practicable,  in  a  service  on  the  Lord's  day.  He  always  spoke 
against  the  delay  of  infant  baptism  ;  believing  it  more  important  that  the  child 
should  be  dedicated  publicly  at  an  early  opportunity,  than  that  both  the  pa- 
rents should  be  present. 

"1738.  Oct.  15.  (Sunday.)  We  baptized  our  child,  John."  The  child 
was  born  the  day  previous.  "  J740,  Kov.  16.  (Sunday.)  We  baptized  our 
daughter  by  the  name  of  Sarah:  "  born  Nov.  14. — '■'■  JournaV  of  Rev.  Thos. 
Smith,  of  Portland. 

For  similar  baptisms,,  see  Appendix,  p.  702,  DwighCs  Life  of  President 
Edwards. 

But  such  instances  as  the  following  were  not  uncommon  : — "  In  the  year 
before  his  death,  Mr.  Willard  baptized  in  the  church  standing  in  this  place, 
the.  celebrated  Benjamin  Franklin,  on  17th  January,  17U6,  the  very  day  of 
his  birth,  who  was  born  in  a  house  directly  opposite  to  the  front  part  of  this 
church." — Dr.  John  Pierce's  Pllection  Sermon.,  delivered  in  the  Old  South 
Church,  Bostoji,  1&49,  p.  39. 

A  clergyman  now  living,  who  thus  early  baptized  his  first  child,  assigned 
as  his  reason,  that  "  whatever  is  a  duty  cannot  be  dout  too  soon  .'  " 

Dr.  Worcester's  practice  in  "  Family  Government  '•  accorded  very  nearly 
with  the  "  Rules  "  drawn  up  by  Rev.  Michael  Wigglesworlh,  of  Maiden, 
who  died  June  10,  170-5,  in  the  seventy-fourth  j-ear  of  his  age.  ''  First  Rule. 
It  is  the  duty  of  parents  to  endeavor  to  bring  their  children  within  the  com- 
pass of  the  covenant.  Here  let  them,  1.  Labor  to  be  in  covenant  with  God 
themselves,  who  will  entertain  theirs  with  them.  2.  Present  tliem  to  bap- 
tism, (the  seal  of  the  covenant,)  with  convenient  speed.  3.  Give  them  good 
names,"  &c.,  &c,     "  Wigglesworth  PapersP — Chr.  Obsry,  vol.  IV, 


SAMUEL     WORCESTER.  223 

hold  a  cliilcl  of  his  own,  as  \ni  applied  11h^  baptismal 
seal,  could  not  soon  forget  the  aUbcting  tenderness  of 
his  voice  and  his  countenance. 

To  the  mother's  name,  he  joined  Fidelia,  when  he 
baptized  that  "  lovely  daughter,"  of  whom  hv  wrote  to 
many  friends.  While  in  college,  he  was  quite  partial 
'to  the  signature  of  FIDELIO.  Some  "  words  "  were 
to  him  as  "things,"  and  some  names  were  exponents 
or  symbols  of  associations,  remembrances,  or  congeni- 
alities, which  he  was  most  happy  to  renew  and  per- 
petuate. His  second  daughter,  born  less  than  two 
years  after  the  first,  he  called  Lydia  Lucretia.  She 
thus  bore  the  name  of  that  sister,  whom  he  so  much 
loved,  and  the  mother  whose  memory  was  like  a  vis- 
ion of  heaven ;  while  she  would  also  remind  him  of  the 
character  of  a  woman,  most  admired  of  all,  whose  vir- 
tues have  been  celebrated  by  classic  history. — And 
when  in  no  wise  unwilling,  that  his  own  name  should 
be  asked  and  granted  for  his  eldest  son,  born  Sept.  4, 
1801,  in  the  same  rural  village,  he  gratified  himself, 
most  of  all,  by  a  tribute  to  Melancthon  ; — who,  among 
the  greatest  of  the  Reformers,  was,  in  his  maturest  es- 
timation, the  nearest  of  a  kindred  spirit  to  the  disciple, 
that  leaned  upon  the  bosom  of  his  Lord. 

His  other  children  all  received  names,  by  which  he 
.testified  his  regard  for  relatives  or  special  friends.  In 
some  instances,  he  appeared  to  consider  the  question 
of  a  choice  between  different  names  as  of  very  serious 
importance.  In  1810,  on  the  morning  of  the  Sabbath 
when  his  third  son  was  to  be  baptized,  he  remarked 
with  very  great  earnestness  and  tenderness, — "  I  have 
been  hesitating  much  what  it  is  my  duty  to  call  him. 
My  mind,  however,  has  been  about  equally  divided 
between  Joseph  Addison  and  John  Norris. — He  fixed 


224  MEMOIR    OF 

upon  the  latter,  and  for  reasons  which  may  be  obvious 
in  the  sequel.  He  felt,  that  "  he  who  bears  an  honored 
name  has  an  additional  incentive  to  virtuous  deeds 
and  noble  aims."* 

Fond  of  children  ;  anxious  that  his  own  should  con- 
fide in  him  implicitly, — he  began,  in  the  outset  of  his 
experience  as  a  parent,  a  system  of  treatment,  which 
he  steadily  maintained,  until  with  a  sweet  farewell,  he 
turned  away  his  eyes  from  the  six,  that  had  been 
spared  from  his  eleven.f  Sooner  than  most  parents,  and 
those  who  mean  to  lose  no  time,  he  felt  that  an  impor- 
tant work  was  to  be  accomplished,  in  "  training  them 
in  the  way  they  should  go."  He  had  one  or  more  se- 
rious struggles  for  the  mastery  ;  but  brought  them  all 
under  his  control,  and,  generally,  before  they  were  old 
enough  to  know  how  it  was  done.  He  did  not  much 
use  "  the  rod," — literally  the  rod^  never.  But  there  was 
a  virtue  in  his  hand^  which,  with  few  exceptions,  after- 
wards made  his  uplifted  finger  alone  suffice. 

In  some  instances  of  the  discipline  of  his  children, 
in  their  early  age,  he  might  have  been  thought  severe. 
But  there  was  a  "  goodness  "  mingled  with  the  "  sever- 
ity," which  always  overcame  them  in  the  end.  And 
he  never  permitted  a  child,  who  was  under  correction, 
to  pass  out  of  his  hands,  until  there  was  the  appear- 
ance of  entire  submission.  The  witness  of  a  relative 
may  be  taken,  as  uniformly  applicable  to  his  course, 
from  first  to  last. 


*  Not  one  of  his  father's  sixteen  children  had  a  double  name.  Such  names, 
some  may  not  know,  were  not  at  all  common,  until  after  the  Revolution. 

t  "  If  I  could  have  my  choice,'"  he  said,  "  I  should  prefer  to  have  the 
larger  number  of  daughters.  I  believe  it  is  easier  to  train  them  for  useful- 
ness, and  they  are  more  likely  to  be  devoted  to  the  Savior."  There  were 
born  to  him,  four  sons  and  seven  daughters.  Two  sons  and  three  daughters 
died  young. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  225 

"  I  used  to  admire  his  patornnl  cliaraetor.  I  ihonght 
him  very  fond  of  his  chilchvii,  and  used  to  feel  a  sym- 
pathy for  him,  that  he  had  so  httlc  leisure  to  give  to 
them,  when  he  enjoyed  that  little  so  mueh.  How  af- 
fectionately he  would  take  E or  A in  his  arms, 

and  take  a  few  turns  with  them,  before  i^oinj^  up  to  his 
study,  when  he  came  in  from  abroad  I  Nothing  es- 
caped his  notice  when  w^ith  them.  I  remember  one 
morning,  *  *  *  who  was  generally  very  gentle  and 
pleasant,  became  very  irritable  while  I  was  dressing 
her  hair.  This  continued  during  breakfast,  and  was 
checked  by  him,  but  not  subdued.  This  irritability 
broke  out  again,  while  he  was  reading  for  prayers  ; 
w^hen  laying  aside  the  great  Bible,  he  took  her  from 
her  mother ;  corrected  her,  reducing  her  to  instant  and 
complete  submission,  and  returned  her  to  her  mother. 
After  prayers,  he  took  her  again,  on  his  knee,  went 
over  mildly  and  gently  the  events  of  the  morning; 
showing  her  that  he  had  noticed  everything;  and 
pointed  out  to  her  wherein  she  had  erred  in  her  con- 
duct and  temper,  until  her  spirit  seemed  perfectly  pen- 
itent and  subdued.  I  listened  with  admiration.  Oh  I 
what  a  father,  thought  1 1  " 

He  watched  the  very  first  indications  of  character  in 
his  first-born,  and  in  each  of  the  others,  so  as  to  predict 
concerning  some  of  them,  what  came  to  pass,  although 
the  prediction  appeared  very  singular  and  very  doubt- 
ful. He  was  not  eager  to  draw  out  their  minds  before 
the  time,  but  he  had  great  pleasure  in  analyzing  their 
intellectual  tendencies.  As  early  as  he  could,  he  w^ould 
ascertain,  if  they  had  an  ear  and  a  voice,  for  the  melo- 
dies of  sacred  song.  And  when  overwhelmed  with 
exhausting  labors,  he  would  sit  dowm,  in  a  morning 
hour,  to  teach  them  their  "  letters,"  or  some  other  les- 
son, by  which  he  could  discern  or  prove  their  capabil- 
ities.* 

*  Before   going  to  his  study,  one  beautiful  morning,  he  sat  down  for  an 
experiment  of  this  kind  upon  the  Uttle  daughter,  who  was  the  subject  of  the 


226  MEMOIR    OF 

"Wliile  careful  not  to  encumber  or  unduly  stimulate 
the  mind,  he  was  yet  desirous  of  having  his  children 
advance  steadily,  and  learn  something  every  day.  He 
was  not  afraid  of  putting  them  under  early  responsi- 
bilities ;  as  if  remembering  what  services  had  been 
performed  by  himself,  in  his  childhood  and  youth.  He 
did  not  talk  as  much  with  them,  as  many  other  fathers 
do  with  their  children.  But  his  words  were  to  the 
point  and  the  purpose.  And  of  all  their  impressions 
and  recollections  of  him,  the  very  first  would  be,  that 
he  was  a  good  man,  who  could  say  with  the  apostle, 
"  I  have  no  greater  joy,  than  to  hear  that  my  children 
walk  in  truth." 

At  the  family  meeting  in  Hollis,  in  September 
of  this  year,  1798,  to  which  allusion  was  made,  in 
the  sketches  of  Noah  Worcester,  Esq.,  there  was  one 
incident,  which  has  often  been  mentioned  with  a 
lively  interest.  The  brothers,  who  had  entered  the 
ministry,  kept  a  Sabbath,  at  Hollis. — Noah  preached 
in  the  forenoon ;  Thomas  in  the  afternoon ;  and  Sam- 
uel, at  a  third  service.  "  The  sermons,"  according  to 
a  living  witness,  "  were  each  characteristic  of  its  au- 
thor. Noah's  was  plain  and  strong ;  Thomas's  easy 
and  taking,  from  John  vii.  37  ;  Samuel's  scholastic 
and  profound.  Hearers  differed  in  opinion,  as  to  which 

discipline,  which  has  been  described,  and  who,  as  he  was  surprised  to  find, 
had  begun  her  alphabet.  He  proceeded  along  from  A  to  P,  obtaining  cor- 
rect answers,  the  greater  part  of  the  way.  Pointing  with  his  pencil  to  Q,  he 
said, — "  And  what  is  that  ?  " — Never  having  heard,  the  hopeful  pupil  looked  at 
the  letter,  twisting  and  pressing  her  lips,  as  he  himself  unconsciously  some- 
times did.  She  suddenly  sprung,  as  if  with  an  eureka^  like  that  of  the  old  philos- 
opher, and  clapping  her  hands,  exclaimed, — "O.'  dat  he  O,  vAdatailto  himP'' 
The  exhilarating  convulsion  of  the  father's  dignity,  was  as  good  for  his 
health,  as  the  shock  of  his  morning  shower-bath,  and  far  more  grateful,  to 
say  the  least,  than  the  pcjyjn-r,  with  which,  by  medical  advice,  he  was  then 
accustomed  to  sprinkle  his  cup  of  coflee. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  227 

performance  was  the  best;  but  they  all  agreed  in  one 
point,  that  Noah  Worcester,  Esq.,  was  a  very  fortu- 
nate man,  to  be  the  father  of  such  an  unrivalled  trium- 
virate of  sons."* 

Dr.  Lilt  her  Jeiuett. 

«  Fitchhurg,  Jan.  2,  1799. 
My  very  dear  friend, — 

I  grow  more  and  more  sensible  of  being  very  unhap- 
pily located,  in  regard  to  my  friends.  So  completely 
shut  out  am  I  from  their  circle,  as  extremely  seldom  to 
receive,  and  equally  seldom  directly  to  convey,  a  letter. 

Since  you  saw  me,  I  have  passed  through  many  in- 
teresting scenes  and  changes.  I  have  become  a  Hus- 
band, a  Parent,  a  Pater-familiaSj  in  my  own  house. 
These  several  relations  bring  with  them  new  duties 
and  new  cares,  new  anxieties,  and  new  enjoyments. 
They  throw  one  upon  a  new  scene  of  action,  and 
clothe  him  with  a  new  set  of  feelings  and  habits  ;  and 
they  call  into  exercise  all  that  is  tender,  noble,  and  ex- 
cellent in  the  human  composition.  God  gi'ant  I 
may  sustain  them,  with  increasing  pleasure,  useful- 
ness, and  virtue  ;  and  that  in  due  time  you  may  derive 
from  them  more  than  your  fondest  expectations  antici- 
pate. 

Have  you  read  Robinson's  Proofs  of  a  Conspiracy 
against  the  Religions  and  Governments  of  Europe, 
and  the  Abbe  Barueil's  Memoirs  of  Jacobinism  ?  If 
not,  get  them  as  soon  as  you  can.  They  must  engage 
the  attention — as  must  the  great  scenes,  indeed,  which 
are  opening  in  such  rapid  succession,  on  the  broad 
theatre  of  the  world, — equally  of  the  philosopher,  the 

^Leonard  did  not  leave  his  printing  office,  until  the  year  following.  If  the 
five  own  brothers,  who  were  all  at  that  family  meeting,  had  been  seated  in 
the  order  of  age,  he  would  have  had  the  place  in  the  centre.  And  this  place 
he  was  filled  to  occupy,  by  his  stature  of  six  feet,  three  inches.  As  the  father 
and  sons,  with  their  wives,  walked  to  the  meeting-house,  in  the  order  of 
age;  they  were  a  spectacle  for  the  eyes  of  many. 


228  MEMOIR    OF 

politician,  and  the  divine.  After  reading  those  books, 
we  cease  from  wonder  and  astonishment  at  enormities, 
which  before,  we  thought  human  nature  incapable  of 
committing.  I  conceive  the  grand  maxim  of  lUumina- 
tism,  viz.,  that  '  The  preponderancy  of  good  to  the  ul- 
timate result,  consecrates  or  justifies  all  the  means, 
which  may  be  used  in  obtaining  it,' — to  be  the  maxim, 
by  which  the  ruling  powers  in  France  are  governed,  in 
all  their  measures. 

But  He  who  is  Governor  among  the  nations  will 
soon  '  punish  the  fruit  of  their  stout  heart,  and  the 
glory  of  their  high  looks.' 

Accept  our   most   affectionate   regards    and   best 
wishes. 

Samuel  Worcester." 


Soon  after  the  date  of  this  letter,  the  hearts  of  sin- 
cere believers,  at  Fitchburg,  were  made  glad  and  grate- 
ful, by  the  multiplied  cases  of  awakening  and  conver- 
sion. But  a  most  virulent  opposition  was  aroused. 
Some  of  the  inhabitants  had  never  seen,  and  never 
wished  to  see  the  work  of  God,  "  on  this  fashion."  Not 
the  least  of  the  occasions  of  offence  and  denouncing 
clamor,  was  the  circumstance,  that,  as  in  many  places 
at  the  time  of  the  Great  Awakening,  members  of  the 
church  were  among  the  happiest  subjects  of  the  revival. 

From  twelve  to  twenty  heads  of  families  were  of 
this  class, — openly  declaring,  that  they  had  never  before 
had  any  witness  of  being  "  born  again."  They,  of 
course,  were  not  "  added  to  the  church,"  like  others, 
and  hence  the  fruits  of  the  harvest  did  not  appear  nu' 
inericalhj^  as  in  ordinary  cases  at  the  present  day.  But 
none  afforded  more  joy  to  the  pastor,  than  these  con- 
verted church-members ;  and  none,  probably,  were 
more  instrumental  in  saving  others. 

He  had  been  ordained  but  a  short  time,  before  his 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  229 

preaching  occasioned  a  deep  solicitude  in  llie  minds 
of  a  portion  of  the  church.  When  a  comnuuiion  sea- 
son was  approaching,  they  were  in  great  distress. 
They  trembled  to  eat  and  drink  at  tlie  Lord's  table, 
and  they  dared  not  stay  away.  A  great  eflect  was 
also  produced  by  the  discussions  and  the  devotional 
services,  preparatory  to  a  renewal  of  covenant.  There 
was  never,  it  would  seem,  in  any  town  of  New  Eng- 
land, an  example  of  a  revival,  which  more  truly  and 
strikingly  bcg'an,  and  was  carried  on  in  the  church. 

It  is  painful  to  add,  that,  in  all  probability  also,  a 
more  bitter  and  malignant  spirit  was  never  manifested 
by  opposers.  Disgraceful  and  despicable  measures  of 
annoyance  were  devised.  Even  the  pastor  and  his 
family  were  treated  by  some,  with  a  disrespect  and  in- 
sult, which  would  now  be  scarcely  credible.  But  the 
most  grievous  were  his  trials  from  "false  brethren," 
who  either  openly  led,  or  fully  sanctioned,  the  general 
course  of  the  opposers  of  the  revival  and  of  the  truth  of 
God.  From  among  these  a  society  or  league  was  formed, 
upon  the  basis  of  a  "  Universalian  Compact,"  in  order 
to  withstand,  more  effectually,  the  doctrines  of  the 
Gospel,  which  were  so  hated  and  execrated  under  the 
name  of  Hopkinsianism,  or  the  interchangeable  and 
blasphemous  appellation  of  "  hell-fire.^'' 

As  in  the  character  of  the  opposition  generally,  there 
was  a  manifest  counterpart  of  the  enmities  and  conspi- 
racies of  the  Jews  against  Christ  and  the  apostles, — so 
the  saying  of  the  Master  was  here  fuKilled  :  "lam  come 
to  set  a  man  at  variance  against  his  father,  and  the 
daughter  against  her  mother,  and  the  daughter-in-law 
against  her  mother-in-law." — Still  the  revival  went  for- 
ward. And  the  experience  of  the  pastor  was  invaluable, 
20 


230  MEMOIR    OF 

in  respect  to  his  advancement  in   piety,  and  the  in- 
crease of  his  power  as  an  instrument  of  the  Lord. 

From  1797  and  onward,  so  many  revivals  were  en- 
joyed  in  the  churches,  that  an  eminent  minister  in 
Connecticut,  as  he  stood  at  his  door,  could  count  up- 
wards of  seventy  contiguous  congregations,  which  all 
had  participated  in  the  outpouring  from  the  gracious 
presence  of  the  Lord.     In  different  parts  of  New  Eng- 
land, there  were  hundreds  of  ministers,  whose   hearts 
were  gladdened  by  this  great  "refreshing."     Some  of 
them  had  personal  recollections  of  the  awakening  of 
1740,  with  which  they  gratefully  compared  the  present 
auspicious  visitation.      Many    had  received,   in    for- 
mer instances,  a  rich  experience  in  Him  who  "  giveth 
the  increase."     Some  who  were  in  the  vigor  of  man- 
hood, had   seen  the  promise  of  the  Spirit,  like  "  the 
small  rain  upon  the  tender  herb,"  but  never  before  as  a 
"  mighty  rushing  wind."   Others  knew  of  revivals  chief- 
ly from  records,  which  were  fast  growing  old,  and  going 
to  decay.     But  when  it  is  remembered,  that  there  were 
so  many  churches  ready  for  the  wondrous  ministra- 
tion of  the  Spirit,  and  so  many  pastors  qualified  to  act 
as  co-workers  with  "  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,"  he  who 
writes  the  history  of  the  Puritans  of  New  England, 
may  have  ample  evidence  if  he  will  but  find  it,  that,  in 
the  fifty  or  more   years  previous  to  the  close  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  by  far  the  larger  part  of  churches 
and  ministers  were  of  one  mind  and  spirit  with  "  the 
fathers,"  in  their  doctrinal  and  practical  religion. 

In  the  midst  of  these  revivals,  as  has  been  already 
intimated,  the  spirit  of  missions,  as  a  legitimate  con- 
sequence, received  a  new  and  powerful  impulse.  This 
spirit  which  has  always  existed  in  greater  or  less  de- 
gree, from  the  very  fnst  planting  of  the  New  England 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


231 


chiirchos,  would  niiqnostiona])ly  have  boon  greatly 
promoted  by  orp^anizatioris  or  societies,  distinct  from 
churches.  After  such  orc^anizations  had  been  formed 
in  England,  Scotland  and  elsewhere,  many  pastors 
and  church-members  in  this  country  contributed  to 
their  support.  At  different  times,  also,  before  the  Rev- 
olution, there  were  attempts  to  form  associations  for 
the  spread  of  the  Gospel  among  the  heathen,  which 
should  be  independent  of  all  foreign  Societies.  But 
these  were  not  encouraged  by  the  royal  authority ; 
and  acts  of  incorporation  by  the  colonial  legislatures 
could  not  have  the  seal  of  the  crown.  Thus  when,  in 
1762,  divers  very  respectable  citizens  of  Salem  and 
other  towns  obtained  an  Act  from  the  Massachusetts 
General  Court,  incorporating  them  as  an  association 
for  spreading  the  Gospel  among  the  Indians  of  North 
America,  the  King  declined  to  give  it  his  sanction,* 

*One  of  the  leaders  in  this  movement  was  Edward  Kitchen,  Esq.,  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  church,  now  called  the  Tabernacle  Church  The  sup- 
posed reason  for  denying  the  royal  patronage  to  Colonial  Missionary  Socie- 
ties, is  correctly  stated  by  Mr.  Felt,  in  his  Annals  of  Salem,  Vol.  II.,  p.  601. 
"  Such  denial  seems  to  have  been  exercised  for  the  purpose  of  letting  a 
missionary  society  in  England  have  unobstructed  course  in  our  country,  and 
thus  more  fully  promote  the  cause  of  Episcopacy." 

In  a  letter  of  Jonathan  Edwards  to  Rev.  Mr.  Erskine,  of  Scotland,  dated 
Northampton,  Oct.  14,  174S,  it  is  said  :  "  It  is  a  thing,  that  has  a  favorable 
aspect  on  the  design  of  propagating  the  Gospel  among  the  Indians,  that 
many  of  late  have  been  remarkably  spirited  to  promote  it,  and  liberally  to 
open  their  hands  in  order  to  it.  Mr.  Brainerd's  going  to  Boston  before  his 
death,  and  people  there  having  some  acquaintance  with  him,  and  with  his 
labors  and  success  among  the  Indians,  gave  occasion  to  a  considerable 
number  of  men  in  Boston,  men  of  good  substance  and  of  the  best  character, 
to  form  themselv^es  into  a  Charital)le  Society,  that  by  their  joint  endeavors 
and  contributions,  they  might  promote  the  instruction  and  spiritual  good  of 
the  Indians  ;  who  have  done  some  very  liberal  things  for  the  Indians  in 
New  Jersey,  and  also  for  the  Six  Nations.  The  people  of  Norlhamptoa 
have  also  had  their  hearts  remarkably  opened,  to  contribute  to  the  mainte- 
nance of  Mr.  Spencer's  Interpreter;  and  one  individual  at  Springfield  has 
been  moved  to  devote  a  considerable  part  of  his  estate,  to  promote  the 
propagation  of  the  Gospel  among  the  Six  Nations." — DwigJu's  Lifc,i^-c., 
pp. 269-70. 


232  MEMOIR     OF 

In  1787,  a  "  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel 
among  the  Indians  and  others  in  North  America  "  was 
incorporated  by  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts.  It 
was  directly  occasioned  by  a  commission,  which  some 
gentlemen  had  received  from  the  "  Society  for  Propa- 
gating Christian  Knowledge,"  in  Scotland, — author- 
izing them  to  act  as  Commissioners.  In  1789,  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  "  passed 
an  order,  requiring  the  churches  under  their  care  to 
take  up  collections  for  a  Missionary  Fund."  A  mis- 
sion from  this  Church  to  Africa  had  been  contemplated 
in  1774, — ^the  same  year  in  which  the  Connecticut 
General  Association  resolved  to  send  missionaries  to 
the  northern  and  western  wilderness.  In  1780,  two 
missionaries  were  sent  from  Hartford  County,  to  labor 
in  Vermont ;  and  in  1798,  the  General  Association 
formed  themselves  into  the  Missionary  Society  of  Con- 
necticut. The  New  York  Missionary  Society,  "  for 
sending  the  Gospel  to  the  frontier  settlements,  and 
among  the  Indian  tribes  in  the  United  States,"  pre- 
ceded this  last,  being  formed  Nov.  1,  1796.* 

The  New  York  Theological  Magazine,  from  its 
commencement  in  1795,  diffused  much  missionary  in- 
telligence. As  Dr.  Worcester's  brothers  Noah  and 
Thomas  contributed  to  its  pages,  he  would  of  course 

*  Baird's  Religion  in  America,  p.  277.  Gen.  Assem.  Mag.  Vol.  I.  Am. 
Ed.  Soc.  Quar  Regr.  Vol.  II.  N.  Y.  Miss.  Mag  Vol.  I.  See  a  Report  of 
the  vi^it  of  Drs.  Morse  and  Belknap,  to  the  Oneidas,  &c.,  in  1796,— Mass. 
His.  Coll.  Vol.  V — VI,  First  Series. — Those  Indians  were  then  much  far- 
ther from  Boston,  than  the  Cherokees  now  are,  west  of  the  Mississippi. 

Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland,  a  devoted  missionary  to  the  Oneidas,  was  father 
of  J.  T.  Kirkland,  D.  D.,  late  President  of  Harvard  University.  When  the 
son  was  ordained  pastor  of  Summer- Street  Church,  Boston,  in  1794,  the 
venerable  parent  charged  him  in  the  presence  of  the  people,  as  if  he  trem- 
bled for  the  future.  "  O  never  rob  him  of  his  glory,  who  is  God-man, 
Mediator;  never  deny  the  Lord  who  hath  bought  you  I" 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  233 

be  a  constant  reader.  The  London  Evani^elieal  Mag- 
azine lie  eould  see  occasionally  ;  and  thus  the  exciting 
journals  of  the  missionaries  in  tlie  South  Seas,  in 
Afric'.i,  and  in  the  far  East,  were  imparting  a  genial 
impulse  to  his  benevolent  sympathies.  With  his 
home  in  the  hill-countrv  of  the  interior  of  Massachu- 
setts,  his  spirit  went  often  abroad,  as  he  remembered 
the  savins:  of  his  Master:  "  The  field  is  the  world."* 

Before  he  left  college,  a  concert  of  prayer  for  the 
conversion  of  the  world  was  sustained  in  his  native 
town,  and  in  many  other  places.  And  having  received 
a  fresh  anointing  from  the  Lord  in  the  blessing  upon 
his  ministry,  the  Gospel  had  become  to  him  so  truly 
the  word  of  a  "quickening  Spirit,"  that  he  was  most 
willing  and  anxious  "to  spend  and  be  spent"  for  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  It  was  his  delight  to  "  lend 
his  assistance  to  every  wheel  in  motion,  designed  to 
ameliorate  the  condition  of  man  ;"  and  one  of  the  first 
to  move  in  any  new  enterprise  or  labor  of  christian 
faith  and  love. 

Thus  at  the  formation  of  the  Mass.  Miss.  Society, 
in  May,  1799,  he  was  found  ready  to  do  all  in  his 
power,  to  advance  the  object  of  the  institution.  He 
had  been  less  than  two  years  in  the  ministry,  and,  of 

*  "  The  letters  of  Melville  Home  were  blessed,  first  to  excite  reading 
Christians  to  remember  their  faults,  in  not  having  before  united  their  exer- 
tions for  the  souls  of  their  fellow-men.  The  unexpected  union  and  zeal  that 
attended  the  forming  of  the  London  Missionary  Society,  was  another  prom- 
inent event  in  this  connection.  We  well  remember  the  interest  we  took  in 
the  Ship  Duff,  freighted  with  missionaries  to  the  Islands,  lately  discovered 
by  the  enterprising  Cook.  With  attention,  we  have  read  the  accounts  of 
Carey  and  others,  instructing  the  superstitious  Hindoos  to  leave  their  castes, 
and  to  believe  in  Jesus  of  Nazareth.  With  a  lively  interest  we  have  follow- 
ed the  journals  of  Vanderkemp  and  Kircherer,  near  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  preaching  Jesus  to  the  willing  Hottentots,  who  have  been  considered 
among  the  most  abject  of  the  human  race. — Dickinsoii's  Sermon,  before  the 
Mass.  Miss.  Society,  May  28,  ISll. 

20* 


234  MEMOIR    OF 

course,  liad  not  yet  taken  his  place,  in  public  estima- 
tion, with  Spring,  Emmons,  Austin,  and  others,  who 
"  seemed  to  be  pillars  ;"  and  upon  whom  the  friends 
of  the  movement  naturally  leaned.  But  he  had  his 
full  part  in  the  preparatory  deliberations.  In  a  very 
short  time,  by  a  change  of  local  position,  and  from 
other  causes,  he  became  the  leading  spirit  of  the  wor- 
thy brotherhood,  wiiose  anniversary  was  hailed  as  the 
"  feast  of  tabernacles." 

There  is  an  unwTitten  history  of  the  preliminary 
proceedings,  which  deserves  a  notice  beyond  the  limits 
of  a  few  sentences  or  paragraphs ;  for  it  was  this  Society 
and  that  of  kindred  character,  in  Connecticut,  from 
which  came  the  men  and  the  organization  of  the 
American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Mis- 
sions. And  in  the  same  revivals,  which  gave  birth  to 
these  Societies,  the  mother  of  Samuel  J.  IVIills  was 
wrestling  with  the  Angel  of  the  Covenant,  for  the 
conversion  of  that  child  of  many  missionarij  prayers. 

Rev.  Joshua  Spaulding,  pastor  of  the  Tabernacle 
Church,  in  Salem,  and  as  such  the  predecessor  of  Dr. 
Worcester,  was  at  the  head  of  all  others,  in  the  exer- 
tions, which  immediately  led  to  the  formation  of  the 
Mass.  Miss.  Society.  "  We  must  have,"  he  proclaim- 
ed to  his  clerical  and  lay  brethren, — "  we  must  have 
missionaries  to  go  out  into  the  highw^ays,  all  around 
us  and  among  us.  We  want  a  missionary  in  Marble- 
head;  and  we  need  to  send  missionaries  into  Boston  .'"* 

*The  Old  South  Church  alone,  among  the  Congregational  churches, 
could  be  relied  upon  as  evangelical.  And  this,  in  the  opinion  of  many, 
hardly  had  breath  enough  for  life.  Two  Baptist  churches  had  a  great  influ- 
ence in  sustaining  vital  piety. 

Mr.  Spaulding  had  less  influence,  for  several  reasons,  than  he  would 
Qtherwise  have  had.  lie  was  an  eccentric,  though  a  truly  godly  man.  In 
his  poUilcs,  he  was  a  violent  anti-federalist ;  and  most  of  the  clergy  were 


SAMUEL    "WORCESTER.  235 

At  the  Massachusetts  anniversary  of  elcT-tion,  in 
1797,  tliere  was  a  consultation  upon  the  subject  of  a 
new  ori^anization  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel;  but 
nothing  was  done,  except  to  agree  upon  further  in- 
quiry and  a  renewal  of  consultation,  the  next  year. — 
In  1798,  a  more  formal  meeting  was  held.  Some  of 
the  most  influential  pastors  opposed  Mr.  Spaulding, 
and  such  as  more  or  less  agreed  with  him,  in  his  views 
of  the  desirableness  of  missions  at  our  own  doors,  to 
"strengthen  the  things  which  remained  and  were 
ready  to  die."  The  project  was  even  derided  by  some, 
as  unnecessary  or  preposterous ;  while  others  stated 
their  objections,  as  if  wishing  for  more  light,  and  by 
no  means  "fierce  for  moderation." 

There  was  an  honest  and  serious  apprehension  of 
failure,  from  the  unpopularity  of  any  measures,  which 
implied,  that,  in  the  very  heart  of  New  England,  there 
were  waste  places  and  desolations.  It  is  this,  doubt- 
less, to  which  Dr.  Samuel  Spring  referred  in  his  jMis- 
sionary  Sermon,  May,  1802  : 

"  Though  encouraged  and  even  pressed  by  devout, 
praying  characters  to  form  a  Missionary  Society,  sev- 
eral years  before  it  was  instituted,  yet  we  trembled 
and  hesitated  and  paused  and  postponed  the  object 
repeatedly,  lest  our  number  and  itifluence  mig/it  prove 
inadequate  to  the  honorable  execution  of  the  design. 
But  in  consequence  of  the  example  of  others,  and  the 
opening  field  of  usefulness,  with  confidence  in  the  di- 
vine promise  and  support,  we  formed  the  Society,  and 
marked  out  our  missionary  ground." 

thus  opposed  to  him.  But  he  had  also  adopted  MiUevarian  views  of  the 
coniins:  of  Clirist,  and  his  jiRleinent  was  deemed  unsafe.  —  Still  lie  did  uiure 
at  this  lime  tliau  any  oilier  individual,  to  constrain  his  brelliren  in  Massachu- 
setts, to  move  forward  in  the  cause  of  evangelization.  But  of  this  fact  no 
more  has  seemed  to  be  known,  than  of  the  origin  of  the  Am.  Home  Miss. 
Society,  in  l&i25,  from  the  appeals  of  Rev.  Aaron  Foster,  now  of  E.  Charle- 
mont,  Mass  ,  and  then  a  member  of  the  Senior  Class,  at  Andover. 


236  MEMOIR    OP 

In  May,  1799,  a  plan  having  been  so  devised,  as  to 
make  the  proposed  Association  appear  before  the 
world,  as  instituted  upon  a  much  broader  basis,  than 
that  of  home  missions,  a  sufficient  number  of  the  more 
eminent  ministers,  chiefly  those  known  as  Hopkinsian* 
were  induced  to  assume  the  responsibility  of  the  new 
undertaking.  The  constitution  adopted.  May  28, 1799, 
declares,  that  "  the  object  of  this  Society  is  to  diffuse 
the  knovAedge  of  the  Gospel  among"  the  heathens^  as 
well  as  other  people  in  the  remote  parts  of  our  country^ 
ivhere  Christ  is  seldom  or  never  pre  ached. ^^ 

"  Where  Christ  is  seldom  or  never  preached  ?"  inquired 
Mr.  Spaulding.   "  If  that  is  your  object,  you  should  send 

*  It  is  worthy  of  note,  that  the  great  missionary  organizations  of  these 
latter  days  were  formed,  as  they  are  now  sustained,  by  men  whose  theology 
has  been  often  represented,  as  utterly  inconsistent  with  the  labors  of  true 
christian  beneficence.  And  in  truth,  it  must  be  admitted,  that  some  Hop- 
kinsians  appear  to  have  been  in  a  stale  of  mind,  like  that  of  Andrew  Fuller, 
before  he  saw  •'  the  way  of  God  more  perfectly."  "  17S0.  Aug.  30.  I  found 
my  soul  drawn  out  in  love  to  poor  souls,  while  reading  Millar's  account  of 
Eliot's  labors  among  the  North  American  Indians,  and  their  efl'ect  on  these 
poor  barbarous  savages.  I  found  als^o  a  suspicion,  that  we  shackle  ourselves 
loo  much  in  our  addresses  to  sinners  ;  that  we  have  bewildered  and  lost 
ourselves,  by  taking  the  decrees  of  God  as  rules  of  action.  Surely  Peter 
and  Paul  never  felt  such  scruples  in  their  addresses  as  we  do.  They  ad- 
dressed their  hearers  as  men — fallen  men  ;  as  we  should  warn  and  admon- 
ish persons  who  were  blind,  and  on  the  brink  of  some  dreadful  precipice. 
Their  work  seemed  plain  before  them.  O  that  mine  might  be  so  before 
me  !"  Upon  this  his  biographer,  Dr.  Ryland,  remarks  :  "  Here  we  see  the 
first  workings  of  compassionate  feelings  of  heart,  which  at  length  led  him 
so  happily  out  of  the  entanglements  of  False  Calvinism,  and  excited  him  to 
such  exertions  for  the  salvation  of  the  heathen." — Mems.  of  Fuller^  eh.  IV. 

The  mi:«take  of  Fuller  was,  in  "  taking  the  decrees  of  God  as  rules  of  ac- 
tion.'''' The  precepts  of  God,  but  not  his  decrees  or  purposes,  are  the  "  rules 
OF  ACTION."  Thus  the  apostles  had  no  "  scruples  "  in  addressing  men,  as 
they  did.  And  thus  Paul,  having  said — "  there  shall  be  no  loss  of  any  man's 
life  among  you,  but  of  the  ship,"  could  also  say, — "  Except  these  abide  in 
the  ship,  ye  cannot  be  saved."  The  consistency  of  the  two  sayings  is  to 
some  as  much  a  problem,  as  the  question  concerning  Christ,  as  being  the 
Son  of  David  :  *'  How  then  doth  David  in  spirit  call  him  Lord,  (5cc.?  Matt, 
xxii.  43-45. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  237 

missionaries  to   Boslon!      There,  certainly,  Christ  is 
seldom  or  never  preached." 

It  is  noticeable,  that  his  idea  of  cil//  missions  has 
now  been  adopted,  with  great  interest  and  effect.  But 
the  Mass.  Miss.  Society,  which  owed  its  origin  as 
much  or  more  to  him,  than  to  any  other  single  indi- 
vidual, could  never  have  been  formed,  but  with  the 
distinct  contemplation  of  a  much  more  extended  cir- 
cumference for  a  field  of  labor. 

The  first  address  of  the  Society,  "  to  all  who  are  de- 
sirous of  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,"  breathes  the  genuine  spirit  of  the  charge  from 
Mount  Olivet.  Recognizing  "  the  glorious  Gospel  of 
Christ  as  the  adequate  and  only  medium  of  recover- 
ing lost  sinners  to  God  and  happiness,"  and  respond- 
ing to  "  the  grand  commission  which  Christ  gave  to 
his  primitive  disciples,"  the  address  "  entreats "  all 
"  christian  brethren,  in  view  of  their  immense  indebt- 
edness to  redeeming  grace,  their  solemn  covenant 
vows,  their  accountability  and  their  hopes,  to  cast. the 
eye  of  attentive  observation  upon  the  condition  of 
thousands  and  millions  of  our  guilty  race,  in  other 
countries  and  in  our  own,  particularly  among  the  hea- 
then tribes,  and  on  the  frontiers  of  the  United  States, 
forming  a  vast  line  of  new  settlements,  peculiarly  em- 
barrassed with  respect  to  their  religious  interests  and 
local  circumstances ;  and  ask  whether,  when  their 
danger  is  so  great,  when  their  spiritual  wants  are  so 
urgent,  when  there  is  so  much  zeal  on  the  part  of 
wickedness,  infidelity,  and  atheism,  counteracting  the 
Gospel — there  be  not  reason  to  put  forth  every  exer- 
tion for  the  spread  of  that  precious  Gospel,  which  is 
the  grand  charter  of  our  eternal  inheritance." 

The  Society  was  thus  brought  into  the  closest  aflin- 


238  MEMOIR    OF 

ity  and  fellowship  with  others  in  Great  Britain. 
Establishments  precisely  similar  to  those  now  sustain- 
ed by  the  American  Board  of  Com.  for  For.  Missions, 
might  have  been  organized  and  cherished,  in  the 
strictest  accordance  with  the  pm*pose  of  the  Mass. 
Miss.  Society.  And  the  simple  fact  is,  that  it  was 
not  until  long  after  the  Amer.  Board  of  Com.  for  For. 
Missions  was  formed,  that  this  Society  and  others, 
which  are  now  purely  home  societies,  became  such,  or 
were  understood  to  be  such,  in  the  present  acceptation 
of  the  term.  By  a  missionary  society,  was  meant  an 
association  to  spread  the  Gospel  through  all  the  world, 
by  preaching  it  in  any  accessible  region  or  place, 
where  "  Christ  is  seldom  or  never  preached."  And 
the  Mass.  Miss.  Society,  was  a  society  of  Blassachu- 
setts  missionary  men;  not  a  missionary  society  for 
Massachusetts ! 

In  1804,  the  constitution  of  the  society  was  modi- 
fied,  so  that  the  article  defining  the  object  was  made 
to  read : — "  The  object  of  the  society  is,  to  diffuse  the 
Gospel  among  the  people  of  the  newly  settled  and 
remote  parts  of  our  country,  among  the  Indians  of  the 
country,  and  through  more  distant  regions  of  the  earthy 
as  circumstances  shall  invite,  and  the  ability  of  the 
society  shall  admit."  And  if  the  men  could  have 
been  had,  and  the  money  could  have  been  obtained, 
missionaries  might  have  been  sent  by  the  Mass.  Miss. 
Society  to  Bombay,  Ceylon,  or  the  Sandwich  Islands, 
just  as  constitutionallij  as  they  were  afterwards  sent  by 
the  Amer.  Board  of  Com.  for  For.  Missions. — It  may 
be  added,  that  the  Mass.  Miss.  Society  was  made  di- 
rectly subservient  to  the  plans  of  this  great  organiza- 
tion. Its  affairs  were  conducted  with  such  exclusive 
reference  to  remote  localities,  and  general  objects  em- 


SAMUEL    AVORCESTER.  239 

braced  in  the  spread  of  the  Cospe],  that  a  "Domestic 
Missionary  Society "  was  found  necessary  for  the 
wants  of  jNIassacliusetts. — This  Society  was  merged 
in  the  Mass.  Miss.  Society,  when  the  latter  became 
what  it  now  is,  strictly  domestic^  as  having  no  mis- 
sionaries among  the  heathen. 

Rev.  Samuel  Austin  was  tlie  first  Secretary.  Dr. 
Emmons  very  reluctantly  accepted  the  office  of  Presi- 
dent. He  was  almost  "  taken  by  force."  Dr.  Spring 
had  many  doubts  and  fears.  Rev.  Messrs.  Niles,  of 
Abington,  Dickinson,  of  Ilolliston,  Alexander,  of  Men- 
don,  Barker  of  Middleboro',  were  fully  decided,  as  were 
others  like  the  subject  of  this  Memoir, — with  a  few 
such  laymen  as  John  Simpkins,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  John 
Punch ard,  Esq.,  of  Salem,  and  Leonard  Worcester,  of 
Worcester.  At  a  private  house,  these  "  with  one  ac- 
cord "  continued  in  prayer  and  deliberation,  on  a  mem- 
orable night,  until  a  later  hour  than  Paul  preached  at 
Troas.  It  was  past  midnight,  when  they  had  settled 
the  question  of  forming  a  society.* 

The  first  mission  projected,  was  that  of  a  settled 
minister,  and  of  a  candidate,  to  the  region  between 
Whitestown  and  the  Genessee  River.  And  in  the 
view  of  the  first  Directors  or  Trustees,  so  much  was  it 
the  "  day  of  small  things,"  that,  at  their  meeting,  July 

*  And  the  most  of  them  then  made  themselves  as  comfortable  as  they 
could,  in  accommodations  upon  the  floor,  until  the  morning  I 

The  names  of  the  first  signers  of  the  Constitution,  were  David  Sanford, 
Daniel  Hopkins,  Nathaniel  Emmons,  Ezra  Wild,  Samuel  Niles,  Samuel 
Spring,  Joseph  Barker,  John  Crane,  Samuel  Austin,  Joshua  Spaulding, 
Timothy  Dickinson,  Jacob  Norton,  Jonathan  Strong,  Peter  Sanborn,  John 
H.  Stevens,  Paul  Litchfield,  Eli  Smith,  Samuel  Mead,  Eliphalet  Gillett, 
Freegrace  Reynolds,  Titus  Theodore  Barton,  Andrew  Beattie,  Jonathan 
Powers,  Daniel  Hardy,  Jr.,  Charles  Collin,  Jr.,  John  Simpkins,  Isaac 
Tompkins,  John  Wait,  Leonard  Woods,  Elijah  Parish,  Samuel  A\'orcesler, 
Leonard  Worcester,  George  Odiorne,  Kendal  Kittredge,  Jedediah  Morse, 
Nicholas  Pike,  Calvin  Park,  Jonathan  Homer,  John  Puuchard,  &C.,  &:c. 


240  MEMOIR    OF 

15,  they  voted  thanks  to  their  Treasurer  for  the  gener^ 
ous  deposit  of  ten  dollars  for  the  use  of  the  society !  " 

At  the  next  anniversary,  however,  the  funds  had  in- 
creased to  more  than  one  thousand  dollars ;  and  it  was 
quite  apparent,  that  the  chief  difficulty  would  be  in 
finding  suitable  men  to  engage  as  missionaries.  There 
were  vacant  pulpits  for  all  those,  who  were  qualified 
for  missionary  service ;  and  the  churches  could  seldom 
be  found  willing  to  spare  their  pastors,  even  for  a  term 
of  three  months.  Besides,  the  active  friends  of  Zion 
in  eastern  Massachusetts,  and  in  New  England  at  large, 
had  but  a  small  share  of  this  world's  goods.  They 
might  have  recurred,  not  unaptly,  to  the  words  of 
Peter :  "  Silver  and  gold  have  I  none ;  but  such  as  I 
have  give  I  thee :  In  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Na- 
zareth, rise  up  and  walk." 

In  Boston  itself,  the  capital  of  the  descendants  of 
"  the  fathers  "  and  of  the  Pilgrims,  so  little  interest  was 
manifested  in  the  objects  and  meetings  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Missionary  Society,  for  some  years  after  its 
formation,  that  the  question  was  distinctly  entertained 
by  some  of  the  members,  whether  the  anniversary 
should  not  be  held  in  Salem.  The  reasons  for  thus 
honoring  Salem,  were  good  and  sufficient.  In  antici- 
pation, it  may  here  be  mentioned,  that  it  was  in  Sa- 
lem, in  June  1803,  that  the  first  Number  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Missionary  Magazine  was  edited  and  pub- 
lished. 

It  had  the  same  foreign  missionary  spirit  and  gen- 
eral character,  that  may  now  be  seen  in  the  Mis- 
sionary Herald.  But  if  any  one  would  see  an  amaz- 
ing contrast,  and  a  most  cheering  demonstration  of  an 
immense  progress,  let  him  read  some  of  the  last  num- 
bers of  the  Herald  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.,  and  some 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  241 

of  the  first  of  the  M;igaziiic  of  the  Massachusetts  Mis- 
sionary Society.  And  let  him  coinj)are,  also,  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Missionary  Society,  in  1801,  with  its  two 
or  three  missionaries,  a  part  of  the  year,  with  the  pre- 
sent American  Home  Missionary  Society,  in  ISol, 
with  its  more  than  one  thousand  missionaries  from 
the  Aroostook,  to  Oregon  and  California ! 


Dr.  "Worcester  returned  home  from  the  meetings,  at 
Boston,  during  the  election  week  of  1799,  much  re- 
freshed and  animated  by  his  intercourse  with  breth- 
ren, and  the  prospective  results  of  their  consultations. 
He  had  been  declining  in  health.  For  some  time,  his 
studies  and  labors  had  been  interrupted  by  general  de- 
bility and  frequent  prostration  of  his  nervous  system. 
But  his  reputation  gained  rapidly,  and  no  young  min- 
ister of  New  England  has  ever  been  known  at  so  early 
an  age,  to  command  higher  respect  for  weight  of  char- 
acter. 

From  a  goodly  majority  of  those,  who  were  proper- 
ly the  people  of  his  charge,  he  was  honored  with  every 
mark  of  confidence  and  esteem,  which  any  pastor  could 
reasonably  expect.  Very  grateful,  and  somewhat  un- 
common, were  the  tokens  of  regard  from  the  younger 
members  of  his  congregation.  And  with  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  church,  he  enjoyed  the  fellowship  of  saints, 
in  no  doubtful  "  earnest "  of  the  communion  in  celes- 
tial glory.  The  Lord  was  manifestly  "  working  with  " 
him,  and  "  confirming  the  word  w^ith  signs  "  of  life 
eternal  to  the  "  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins." 

But  to  those  in  his  congregation,  and  more  in  the 
town,  who  "  loved  darkness  rather  than  light,"  his  clear 
and  pungent  exhibitions  of  "  the  truth  "  were  as  the 
21 


242  '  MEMOIR    OP 

piercings  of  a  sword.  Some  of  the  Universalist  mem- 
bers of  the  church  were  busily  engaged  in  igniting  all 
the  combustibles  of  infidelity  and  immorality,  within 
the  limits  of  the  town.  They  addressed  themselves, 
also,  to  the  sympathies  of  such  neighboring  ministers 
and  church-members,  as  had  no  favor  for  Calvinism, 
and  with  whom  spiritual  regeneration  was  sheer  en- 
thusiasm, or  hypocritical  pretence. 

The  adoption  of  the  revised  Articles  and  Covenant, 
led  to  some  efforts  of  Christian  fidelity,  to  reclaim 
*'  those  that  were  out  of  the  way."  Some  who  were 
living  in  neglect  of  public  and  family  worship  ;  or  who 
by  other  violations  of  covenant  were  justly  disciplina- 
ble, were  expostulated  with  by  their  brethren.  No 
case,  however,  was  yet  piu-sued  through  the  successive 
stages  of  "  dealing  '^  to  excommunication.  But  an 
uneasiness  was  created,  and  much  available  occasion 
afforded  to  organize  a  strong  and  embittered  resistance 
to  the  reformed  administration  of  the  government  of 
the  church.  In  general,  the  state  of  things  was  very 
much  the  same,  as  at  Northampton,  in  1749, — or  just 
half  a  century  earlier, — ^when  Edwards  took  his  mem- 
orable stand  against  the  admission  of  members  to  the 
church,  who  gave  no  evidence  of  real  conversion. 

Early  in  June,  and  but  a  few  days  after  the  pleasant 
scenes  in  Boston,  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  opposition 
contrived  a  meeting  for  Universalists,  in  Fitchburg, 
and  the  neighboring  towns,  to  hear  a  discom'se  from  a 
notorious  hierophant  of  their  delusive  and  destructive 
sentiments.  The  whole  contrivance  was  managed  so 
secretly,  that  the  pastor  of  the  church  knew  nothing  of 
the  meeting,  until  he  saw  the  people  gathering  towards 
the  house  of  worship.*     He  went  himself,  and  sat  in 

*  The  key,  which  was  usually  kept  m  the  entry  of  his  house,  had  been 
taken  by  stealth. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  243 

his  family  pew.  Tlic  preacher  took  for  his  text :  "  And 
to  yon,  who  are  troubled,  rest  with  us,  when  the  Lord 
Jesus  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven  with  his  mighty 
angels,  in  llaming  fire  taking  vengeance  on  them  that 
know  not  God,"  &c.  &c.  (2  Thes.  chap.  1.)  He  ex- 
pounded the  term  "  vengeance,"  as  meaning  the  fer- 
vency  of  GocVs  love ;  and  in  like  manner  disposed  of 
all  the  other  terms,  by  which  the  apostle  had  spoken 
of  "  everlasting  destruction  I  "  Having  concluded,  he 
remarked  to  the  assembly,  that  he  had  now  endeavored 
to  give  them  his  ideas  of  the  truth  ;  but  if  there  was 
any  person  w^ho  wished  to  say  anything,  liberty  was 
now  given.  Dr.  Worcester  instantly  rose,  and  said, — 
"  If  the  preacher  will  come  down  upon  the  pulpit 
stairs,  I  should  like  to  ask  him  two  or  three  questions." 
He  complied  with  the  request,  and  was  asked, — "  By 
what  authority.  Sir,  have  you  entered  my  pulpit  ?  " — 
Somewhat  disconcerted,  he  answered, — "  By  your  con- 
sent."— "  I  never  gave  consent ;  I  never  knew  anything- 
of  this  meetings  until  the  people  began  to  assemble," — 
was  the  emphatic  reply.  At  that  instant,  a  voice* 
was  heard  from  the  choir : — "  You  lie,  ]Mr.  Worcester  I  " 
Amidst  the  confusion  which  now  began,  the  pastor, 
after  a  very  dignified  and  impressive  comment  upon 
such  an  astounding  outrage,  invited  the  assembly  to 
remain  a  little  longer,  and  attend  to  an  exposition 
which  he  would  give  of  a  chapter  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment. He  then  read  and  expounded  the  Epistle  of 
Jucle.  It  is  not  probable,  that  those  words  of  fearful 
rebuke  of  "  certain  men  crept  in  unawares,  *  *  ungodly 
men,  turning  the  grace  of  our  God  into  lasciviousness," 
were  ever  brought  to  bear  upon  any  assembly,  with  a 

*  From  one  whose  own  falsehood  was  now  exposed.     But  he  was  not 
one  of  the  citizens  of  the  place. 


244  MEMOIR    OP 

more  direct,  and  scorching  application.  The  effect 
was  indescribable. 

Promptly  after  his  pulpit  had  been  so  occupied,  and, 
as  he  felt,  desecrated  and  defiled,  the  regular  incum- 
bent delivered  a  discourse  from  the  words,  "  That  we, 
henceforth,  be  no  more  children,  tossed  to  and  fro,  and 
earned  about  with  every  wind  of  doctrine,  by  the  sleight 
of  men,  and  cunning  craftiness,  whereby  they  lie  in 
wait  to  deceive." 

He  first  showed,  that  "  it  is  a  primary  object  of  the 
propagators  of  error,  to  bring  the  true  doctrines  of  the 
Gospel  into  contempt."  And  in  illustrating  the  point, 
he  reminded  his  hearers  of  the  course  recently  pursued. 

"  Those  of  you,  my  hearers,  who  were  present  on  the 
occasion,  recollect  very  well,  that  the  method  of  seduc- 
tion now  under  consideration,  was  lately  put  in  prac- 
tice, in  a  public  performance  in  this  place.  Instead  of 
argument  and  serious  address,  vehement  declamation, 
and  even  ridicule,  were  adopted,  with  an  obvious  de- 
sign to  bring  the  great  truths  of  the  Gospel,  as  holden 
by  Orthodox  Christians  in  all  ages,  into  public  de- 
rision. And  answerable  to  the  worthy  intention,  in 
such  as  were  prepared  for  the  purpose,  a  levity  very 
unbecoming  the  house  and  worship  of  God,  to  say  the 
least,  was  excited.  By  this  means,  gross  and  inde- 
cent as  it  was,  the  speaker,  in  a  very  few  minutes,  ef- 
fected more,  no  doubt,  in  some  particular  minds,  than 
he  could  have  done  in  a  day,  by  serious  and  rational 
discussion.  With  many,  it  is  a  much  easier  matter  to 
laugh,  than  to  reason.  But  if  they  can  be  made  to 
laugh  at  any  doctrine,  it  answers  about  the  same  pur- 
pose, as  if  they  had  been  reasoned  or  argued  out  of  it. 
Having  once  made  it  an  object  of  their  merriment,  they 
afterwards  hold  it  in  contempt ;  or  at  least,  care  not  to 
admit  it,  as  a  serious  article  of  their  creed.  And  this 
is  exactly  what  is  aimed  at,  by  those  who  practice  this 
method  of  seduction. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  245 

But  an  honest  man,  my  hrnrors,  a  man  who  is  seri- 
ous in  the  serious  cause  of  truth,  would  never  stoop  to 
this.  In  a  discourse  upon  the  great  things  of  religion, 
a  discourse  in  which  a  question  of  no  less  magnitude 
and  concernment,  than  that  of  eternal  damnation  is 
involved,  you  will  never  hear  him  use  ridicule  instead 
of  arcrument,  or  vehement  declamation  instead  of  seri- 
ous  address.  He  will  never  attempt  to  excite  your 
laughter,  instead  of  convincing  your  consciences. 

2.  Deceivers  generally  address  themselves  to  the 
passions,  rather  than  to  the  understanding.     *     *     * 

3.  Deceivers  will  very  commonly  endeavor  to  con- 
found, and  carry  you  away  with  a  multitude  of  words ; 
with  noisy,  incoherent  declamation.       ***** 

4.  Nearly  allied  to  what  has  now  been  brought  into 
view,  is  another  artifice,  commonly  made  use  of  by 
heretical  deceivers.  They  affect  to  disclaim  all  depen- 
dence upon  human  reasoning,  and  attend  wholly  to 
the  Scripture.  Hence,  if  you  undertake  to  show,  by 
the  connection  and  analogy  of  Scripture,  that  texts 
which  they  adduce  are  not  to  their  purpose,  they  will 
not  attend  to  your  argument,  but  make  a  great  show  of 
insisting  upon  a  plain — '  Thus  saith  the  Lord  I'  This 
is  a  very  artful  method  to  make  people  think,  that  they 
have  a  great  regard  for  the  Scripture,  and  that  they 
draw  their  doctrines  wholly  from  that  source.  This 
they  were  taught  by  their  father,  the  Devil.  He  quoted 
passages  of  Scripture,  that  he  might  tempt  and  deceive 
Christ ;  and  if  he  transform  himself  into  an  angel  of 
light,  no  marvel,  says  the  apostle,  if  his  ministers  do 
likewise. 

Again.  They  affect  to  be  pleading  for  the  character 
of  God.  Thus  did  the  false  prophets  of  ancient  times. 
They  accused  Isaiah  of  uttering  things  injurious  to  the 
divine  character,  and  raised  such  a  clamor  against 
him,  that  at  length  he  was  sawn  asunder,  as  an  im- 
pious blasphemer.  The  same  clamor  w^as  raised 
against  Christ  by  those,  who,  when  he  was  on  earth, 
opposed  his  doctrines.  And  the  same  clamor  has  been 
raised  by  infidels  and  heretics  against  the  orthodox 
doctrines  of  the  Church,  in  all  ages.     Especially  is  it 

20* 


246  MEMOIR    OF 

thus  at  the  present  day.  Infidels,  Socinians,  and  Uni- 
versalists,  all  join  in  the  cry,  that  the  orthodox  scheme 
of  Christianity  is  repugnant  to  the  benevolence  of  the 
divine  nature.  Theirs  is  a  scheme  on  which  they  all 
loudly  and  vehemently  declaim,  while  they  in  their 
several  ways  affect  great  zeal  for  the  Church  of  God, 
which,  as  they  pretend,  is  so  grievously  injured.  And 
this  sheer  artifice  has,  with  many,  no  doubt,  very  great 
influence. 

As  they  affectedly  plead  for  the  benevolence  of  Dei- 
ty, so  also  do  they  aftect  to  be  exceedingly  benevolent., 
themselves.     No  people  pretend  to  greater  benevolence 
than  Deists,  unless,  indeed,  they  be   the  Universalists. 
They  all  pretend  to  have  a  great  concern  for  the  hap- 
piness of  their  fellow-men,  and  affect  to  pity  those  poor 
unhappy  creatures,  who  are   so  chained  down  by  pre- 
judice, ignorance,  or  the  force  of  education,  as  not  like 
them,  to  throw  off,  what  they  are  pleased  to  call,  the 
shackles  of  superstition   and  bigotry.     And  they  take 
care  to  express  a  very  strong  hope  and  confident  opin- 
ion, that  mankind  will  soon  be  so  enlightened,  as  to 
see  as  they  see,  and  enjoy  the  liberty  which  they  en- 
joy.    '  Oh,  I  have  no  concern,'  says  the  Deist,  '  but  that 
you  will  all  very  soon  get  rid  of  your  superstitious  no- 
tions, and  become  Deists.'     And  so  says  the  Universa- 
list,  '  I  am  not  at  all  concerned  but  that  you  will  all 
very  soon  become  Universalists.'     Artifices  like  these 
are  designed  to  make  people  believe,  that  they  are  very 
sincere,  and  with  weak  and  ignorant  people,  have  of- 
tentimes a  mighty  effect.      They  zealoushj  affect  you^ 
hut  not  ivetl ;  yea^  they  loould  exclude  yoii^  that  ye  might 
affect  them.     For  such  are  false  apostles^  deceitful  ivork- 
ers,  transforming'  themselves  into  the  apostles  of  Christ. 
And  no  marvel ;  for  Satan  himself  is  transformed  into 
an  angel  of  light. 

I  have  taken  the  liberty,  my  hearers,  to  bring  into 
view  the  pretences  of  a  man,  who  lias  lately  been 
among  you  in  the  character  of  a  preacher.  Although 
I  could  hardly  consider  him,  or  his  preaching,  as  of 
sufficient  consequence  to  demand  so  much  attention ; 
yet  as  he  had  furnished  me  with  so  fair  an  occasion 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  247 

for  exposing  the  artful  practieos,  the.  slrifj^ht  and  cvn- 
ni/iif'  cni/fificss  of  those  vho  lie  in  vudt  to  deceive  you,  I 
thouglit   it  my  duty  as  a  watchman  upon  these  walls, 
to  improve,  though  in  weakness,  the  occasion  thus  of- 
fered.  On  hearing  him  for  myself,  I  confess,  it  appeared 
to  me  scarcely  necessary  to  say  anything  to  refute  him. 
For  his  discourse  was  so  glaringly  absurd,  as  evident- 
ly to  carry  its  own  confutation  on  the  very  front  of  it.  It 
w^as  thought  advisable,  however,  to  ask  him  a  number 
of  questions,  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  him  out,  and 
showing  him  in  his  full  length.     This  was  accordingly 
done  ;  and  it  was  imagined  sutTicient  to  do  aw^ay  every 
unfavorable    impression,  which    he  might   have  made 
upon  any  minds.     But  to  my  regret,  I  understand,  that 
there  are  some,  who  are  more  or  less  carried  away  with 
him.     With  such  I  do  not  expect  that  anything,  which 
can  be  addressed  to  their  reason,  will  be  of  any  avail ; 
for  it  must  be  exceedingly  evident,  that  their  reason  is 
allow^ed  to  take  but  very  little,  if  any,  part  in  the  affair. 
I  shall  take    the  liberty,   however,  brielly  to   state 
some    of  the    ideas    which    were    advanced   by  their 
preacher,  that  they  may  look  at  them  once  more,  and 
that  others,  too,  may  judge. — In  answer  to  questions 
which  were   put  to   him   publicly,  he  said,  that  '  God 
has    nothing  to  do   in  the  punishment   of  sinners  ;' — 
'  they  are  punished    by  themselves  only,' — that  '  the 
covenant  which  was  made  with  Adam  was  a  bad  one, 
and  was,  therefore,  disannulled,' — that  '  the  divine  law 
under  which  men  now  are,  has  no   penalty  annexed, 
and  threatens  no  punishment,' — that  '  there  will  be  no 
future  day  of  general  judgment,' — that  '  God  never  was 
displeased  with   his  creatures,  nor  ever  can  be,' — that 
'  he    never   cursed  or    damned    any  of  his    creatures, 
but  must  and  will  bless  them,  and  only  bless  them,' — 
that  'there  was  never  any  need  of  sacrifice  or  atone- 
ment, to  make  a  propitiation  to  God  for  sin,' — and  that 
'  the  Son  of  God  suffered  and  died,  not  to  make  atone- 
ment for    sin,  but   barely  to    seal   a  testimony  to  the 
truth,  and  to  convince  mankind  that  God  is  not  dis- 
pleased with  them, — mankind  think  that  God  is  dis- 
pleased with   them    for  their  conduct,  and  could  not 


248  MEMOIR    OP 

have  been  convinced  of  the  contrary,  by  any  other 
means  than  the  death  of  God's  son! ' 

I  might  proceed.  But  what  has  here  been  stated, 
may  suffice  as  a  specimen  of  the  whole.  I  cannot  be 
suspected  of  designed  misrepresentation,  for  there  were 
many  present  to  hear ;  and  I  think  I  have  not  mis- 
stated. Now  suffer  me  to  ask,  if  there  be  any  of  his 
disciples  present,  whether  you  are  prepared  to  subscribe 
to  these  doctrines.  Some  of  you  have  called  them 
good  news.  But  do  you  believe  them  to  be  the  Gos- 
pel of  Christ?  Are  they  holy  docti'ines, — doctrines 
which  lead  to  a  holy  life  ?  Do  you  find  yourselves  in- 
fluenced by  them  to  attend  more  seriously  to  religion, 
to  repent  of  your  sins,  and  to  w^alk  humbly  with  God, 
in  a  course  of  holy  obedience  to  his  commandments? 
Do  you  believe,  that  these  are  the  doctrines  which  Christ 
preached,  and  for  which  he  was  persecuted  to  the 
cross ;  the  doctrines  which  the  apostles  preached,  and 
which  had  such  a  powerful  effect  in  pricking  sinners 
to  the  heart,  making  them  cry  out.  Men  and  brethren^ 
irhat  shall  we  do^  and  finally  turning  them  from  their 
vicious  and  sinful  courses  into  the  way  of  a  holy  and 
religious  life  ? 

Perhaps  you  will  say, — '  we  do  not  know  whether 
all  which  he  advances  is  true  ;  but  still,  on  the  whole, 
we  liked  the  man  and  his  preaching.'  Be  it  so.  But 
if  these  doctrines,  which  are  here  stated  from  him,  be 
not  true,  are  they  not  then  fundamental  error?  Do 
they  not  go  to  the  total  subversion  of  the  Gospel  ? — If 
it  be  true,  that  sinners  are  really  under  the  displeasure 
of  God  and  the  curse  of  his  law  ;  and  if  Christ  suffered 
and  bled  for  the  special  purpose  of  making  atonement 
for  their  sins,  then  would  it  not  be  a  total  subversion 
of  the  very  foundation  of  the  Gospel  to  say,  that  '  God 
never  was  displeased  with  his  creatures,  and  that 
Christ  died,  not  to  make  atonement  for  their  sins,  but 
to  seal  a  testimony  to  the  truth,  and  convince  them 
that  God  was  not  displeased  with  them  ?' — For  myself,  I 
hesitate  not  to  say,  that  I  have  quite  as  good  an  opinion 
of  an  open  and  avowed  infidel,  as  I  can  have  of  the 
man,  who  will  avow  sentiments  like  these  ;  and  that  I 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  219 

believe  these  sentiments  to  be  even  more  dnnc^erous 
and  licentious  in  their  tendency,  than  dowiiric^ht  Deism. 
Yet  this  is  the  man,  to  whom  I  was  called  upon  to  £rive 
the  right  hand  of  feUowsiiii),  as  with  me  a  lVlh)w-la- 
borer  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ!  Be  oflended  who  may, 
— I  alllrm,  that,  as  are  his  sentiments,  so  is  his  charac- 
ter— notoriously  vile,  licentious,  and  infamous.  This 
is  no  slander;  it  is  what  I  am  ready,  if  called  upon, to 
prove;  and  I  mention  it  for  the  sake  only  of  exposing 
to  your  view,  the  unreasonableness  and  folly  of  run- 
ning after  every  creature  that  comes  along,  and  bid- 
ding him  '  God  speed.' 

You  will  allow  me  to  talk  plainly,  for  you  have  con- 
strained me  ;  the  occasion  requires  it,  and  gives  me  full 
liberty.  I  wish  not  to  offend,  unless  such  truths,  as  I 
think  to  be  important  to  be  held,  are  offensive.  I  am 
aware,  that  I  have  already  been  censured  and  re- 
proached ;  but  this  does  not  move  me.  I  have  made 
up  my  mind  to  meet,  without  dismay,  any  censures  and 
reproaches  which  are  incurred,  by  a  faithful  discharge 
of  my  duty,  and  I  thank  my  God,  they  do  not  hurt 
me. 

It  is  but  a  few  months  ago,  my  friends,  that  you 
were  bidding  '  God  speed'  to  a  man,  who  had  never 
any  regular  introduction  into  the  ministry;  who  was 
not  even  a  professor  of  Christianity  ;  and  whom  none 
of  you  could  suspect  of  having  any  deep  or  serious 
concern  for  the  cause  of  truth  or  religion.  And  now 
you  have  renewed  the  solemn  mockery  with  one  of 
still  worse  character.  Thus  you  "  suffer  fools  gladly."  I 
do  not  mention  this  for  the  sake  of  reproaching  you — 
far  be  it  from  my  heart — but  for  the  sake  of  bringing 
you,  if  possible,  to  a  serious  consideration.  I  beg  you 
to  pause  for  a  moment,  and  solemnly  to  reflect  upon 
the  matter. 

Do  you  believe  such  persons  to  be  the  real  ambas- 
sadors of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  sent  forth  with  the 
messages  of  grace,  to  bring  men  in  Christ  to  become 
reconciled  to  God?  Do  you  believe,  that  Christ  owns 
and  acknowledo^es  them  as  his  ministers?  Is  it  thus, 
that  you  esteem  the  sacred  and  solemn  institutions  oi 


250  MEMOIR    OF 

the  Gospel  ministry  ?  Is  it  thus,  that  you  choose  to 
manifest  your  regard  for  Christ  and  his  divine  institu- 
tions ?  Suffer  me  to  ask,  what  were  your  views  ?  Per- 
haps they  were  to  show  your  dislike  and  disrespect  to 
your  own  minister.  Be  it  so ;  you  have  not  injured 
him  at  all.  He  has  no  complaint  to  make  against  you 
as  it  respects  himself;  the  Lord  judge  between  him  and 
you. 

In  thus  running  after  unauthorized  teachers  and 
doctrines,  have  you  any  serious  regard  to  the  honor  of 
God  and  religion,  or  any  serious  regard  to  the  spiritual 
good  of  your  own  souls  ?  Do  you  find,  or  wish  to 
find,  that  they  impress  upon  your  minds  a  deep  sense 
of  the  importance  of  a  holy  religious  life,  of  immediate 
repentance,  and  of  devotedness  to  the  service  of  God  ? 
Or  is  it  not  the  case,  that  you  have  itching  ears  to  turn 
away  from  the  truth,  and  be  turned  unto  fables,  that 
you  may  put  yourselves  at  ease  in  a  state  of  impeni- 
tency  and  ungodliness  ? — I  doubt  not,  that  some  of 
you  will  say,  that  you  have  a  right  to  hear  such 
preachers  as  you  please.  But  will  you  pause  and  con- 
sider of  this  a  moment  ?  Has  not  Christ  expressly  ad- 
monished you  to  beware  of  false  teachers,  and  by  his 
holy  apostles  to  mark  those  who  cause  divisions  and 
offences,  contrary  to  the  docti'ines  which  you  have  re- 
ceived, and  avoid  them  ?  Is  not  the  Bible  full  of  the 
most  solemn  warnings  against  false  teachers  and  false 
doctrines;  and  in  respect  to  disorderly  and  irregular 
practices,  which  affect  sacred  institutions  ?  And  is  it 
thus,  that  you  choose  to  show  your  regard  to  the  warn- 
ing voice  of  God  ?  Will  you  wantonly  fly  in  the  face 
of  divine  admonitions  ? 

You  wish,  no  doubt,  to  find  out  some  way  in  which 
to  get  rid  of  the  force  of  those  hard  and  disagreeable 
doctrines,  which  you  cannot  endure  I  But  what,  my 
friends,  do  you  expect  to  gain  by  this  ?  Do  you  ex- 
pect to  make  your  condition  any  better,  in  reality  ? 
If  by  any  means  you  should  bring  yourselves  to  dis- 
believe the  great  truths  of  the  Gospel,  and  thus  rid 
yourselves,  for  the  moment,  of  the  trouble  which  they 
give  you, — can  you  expect  to  alter  the  nature  of  those 


SAMUEL     WORCESTER.  2'31 

truths,  and  finally  to  escape  from  tliuir  force?  By 
making  yourselves  believe,  that  all  men  will  be  saved, 
do  you  expect  to  alter  the  eternal  trutli  of  Jehovah, — 
'  He  that  believeth  not,  shall  be  damned  ?  '  By  mak- 
ing yourselves  believe,  that  God  cannot  be  displeased 
with  his  creatures,  do  you  expect  to  do  away  the  force 
of  that  solemn  declaration  of  Truth  himself, — '  lie  that 
believeth  not  the  Son  is  condemned  already,  and  the 
wrath  of  God  abideth  on  him  ?  '  No,  my  friends.  No. 
Hear  what  the  Lord  says, — 'Behold,  all  ye  that  kin- 
dle a  fire,  that  compass  yourselves  about  with  sparks  ; 
walk  in  the  light  of  your  fire,  and  in  the  sparks  that  ye 
have  kindled  ;  This  shall  ye  have  at  mine  hand,  ye 
shall  lie  down  in  sorrow.'  Of  what  avail,  then,  are  all 
the  pains  which  you  take  to  deceive  yourselves  and  to 
be  deceived  ?  What,  if  in  the  end,  all  those  doctrines, 
which  you  so  much  oppose,  prove  true,  and  you  be 
found  with  a  lie  in  your  right  hand  ?  '  Judgment  will 
assuredly  be  laid  to  the  line  and  righteousness  to  the 
plummet,  and  the  hail  shall  sweep  away  the  refuge  of 
lies,  and  the  waters  shall  overflow  the  hiding  places.' 

Be  entreated,  then,  I  conjure  you,  to  lay  aside,  for  a 
little  season,  your  prejudices  and  bitter  feelings,  and 
think  seriously  and  solemnly  upon  these  things.  But  a 
little  while,  my  friends,  and  you  and  I  shall  stand  before 
the  judgment-seat  of  Christ.  If  you  will  forbear  your 
resentment  and  reproaches  till  that  solemn  period,  you 
have  my  consent,  that  then  you  may  load  me  with  as 
much  odium  and  reproach  for  my  plain  and  faithful 
dealing  this  day,  as  you  shall  then  think  best.  Suffer 
me  to  address  you  individually,  in  the  language  of 
Scripture, — '  If  thou  wilt  be  wise,  thou  shalt  be  wise 
for  thyself;  but  if  thou  scornest,  thou  alone  shalt  bear 
it' 

A  word  to  those  of  you,  my  friends,  whose  minds 
are  in  some  measure  religiously  impressed.  On  your 
account  partly,  at  least,  it  cannot  be  doubted,  the  de- 
ceiver was  brought  down  among  us.  It  was  an  effort 
of  Satan  and  his  partisans  to  divert  your  attention, 
and  throw  you  back  into  your  former  state  of  carnal 
ease  and  security.     Satan  is  evidently  alarmed  for  his 


252  MEMOIR    OF 

reign  in  this  place.  He  feels  that  his  interest  is  in 
danger,  and  is  making  his  utmost  exertions,  and  rous- 
ing his  votaries  to  do  the  same,  that  he  may  maintain 
his  ground.  But  thanks  to  sovereign  mercy,  his  limits 
are  prescribed,  and  beyond  them  he  cannot  pass.  It 
is  matter  of  rejoicing,  that  so  far  as  has  been  learned, 
you  continue  unmoved  ;  and  the  effort  which  has  been 
made,  has  produced  a  very  different  effect  from  what 
was  intended.  Thus  it  will  ever  be  ;  the  head  of  the 
serpent  will  be  broken.  God  has  evidently  begun  a 
good  work  among  us,  and  I  trust  in  his  sovereign 
grace,  that  he  will  carry  it  on,  in  spite  of  the  rage  and 
opposition  of  earth  and  hell.  Be  not  dismayed  or  dis- 
couraged, my  friends,  for  God  shall  bruise  Satan  under 
your  feet  shortly  ;  and  '  to  hinri  that  overcometh,'  says 
the  great  Captain  of  Salvation,  '  will  I  grant  to  sit 
with  me  on  my  throne,  even  as  I  also  overcame,  and 
am  set  down  with  my  Father  on  his  throne.' 

]\Iy  brethren  and  friends,  it  is  a  matter  of  very  ex- 
tensive notoriety,  that,  not  many  years  ago,  a  spirit  of 
infidelity  was  alarmingly  prevailing  in  this  place.  For 
some  little  time  since,  however,  it  has  seemed  to  dis- 
appear. But  what  has  become  of  it  ?  Is  it  extinct  ? 
Or  has  it  only  assumed  another  form  ?  It  is  very  well 
known,  that  Deists  have  no  controversy  with  Univer- 
salists.  But  is  the  spirit  of  infidelity,  after  having  as- 
sumed the  name  of  Universalism,  less  hostile  to  the 
truth  and  religion  of  the  Gospel,  than  it  was  before  ? 
Or  does  it  assume  this  name,  only  for  the  sake  of  car- 
rying on  its  opposition  to  the  true  Gospel  with  less 
odium,  but  still  greater  success  ?  Let  facts,  which 
have  recently  transpired,  be  allowed  to  testify.  Your 
eyes,  it  is  believed,  are  by  this  time,  generally,  opened. 
You  cannot  easily  suspect  that  spirit  of  being  very 
friendly  to  truth  and  religion,  which  is  so  little  scru- 
pulous with  regard  to  the  means  and  the  character, 
which  it  countenances  and  employs  in  its  service. 

I  have  repeatedly  taken  occasion  to  represent  Univer- 
salism, as  a  heresy  of  the  most  dangerous  and  licen- 
tious tendency  ;  as  such,  I  believe  it  is  universally  re- 
garded by  the  friends  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  2o3 

such  yoii  will  now  believe  it  to  be.  I  do  not  under- 
take to  say,  but  that  some  honest  people  may  be  led 
away  in  their  simplicity,  by  sleiirht  and  cnnniii<^  erafti- 
■  ness,  and  be  far  e^one,  for  a  while,  in  this  heresy. — 
But  it  is  a  fact  which  cannot  be  denied,  even  by  its 
friends,  that  wherever  it  prevails,  it  is  chiefly  among 
the  most  loose  and  licentious  in  principle  and  prac- 
tice,— at  least  among  such  as  were  never  suspected  of 
any  very  serious  regard  for  religion.  Unless  you  can 
believe,  therefore,  that  the  licentious  and  irreligious 
are  the  most  likely  to  embrace  the  truth,  you  cannot 
believe  Universalism  to  be  true.  Nay,  unless  you  can 
believe,  that  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  instead  of 
calling  men  to  a  holy  and  religious  life,  throw  off  their 
restraints,  and  grant  them  still  greater  indulgences  in 
ungodliness,  you  cannot  believe,  that  the  preacher, 
who  was  so  lately  among  you,  preached  in  the  name 
of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  or  that  his  disciples  are 
such,  as  were  the  primitive  converts  to  Christianity. 

Having  your  eyes  thus  opened,  I  trust,  that  you  will 
be  "  no  more  children,  tossed  to   and   fro,  and  carried 
about  with  every  wind  of  doctrine,  by  the   sleight  of 
men  and  cunning  craftiness,  whereby  they  lie  in  wait 
to  deceive."    Remember  the  solemn  imprecation  of  the 
apostle  Paul, — '  Though  we,  or  an  angel  from  heaven, 
preach  any  other  Gospel  unto  you,  than  that  which  we 
have  preached  unto  you,  let  him  be  accursed.     As  we 
said  before,  so   say  I  now  again,  If  any  man  preach 
any  other  Gospel  unto  you,  than  that  ye  have  receiv- 
ed, let  him  be  accursed.' — And  the  injunction  of  the 
apostle  John  :  '  If  there  come  any  unto  you,  and  bring 
not  this  doctrine,  receive  him  not  into  your  house, 
neither  bid  him  God  speed.     For  he  that  biddeth  him 
God  speed,  is  partaker  of  his   evil  deeds.' — '  Wo  unto 
the  world,  because  of  offences  !  for  it  must  needs  be 
that  offences   come  ;  but   wo  to  that  man  by  whom 
the  offence  cometh  !'     '  There   must   be   also  heresies 
among  you,  that  they  which  are   approved,  may  be 
made  manifest.'     But  'blessed  is   he   that  watcheth, 
and  keepeth  his   garments,  lest  he  walk  naked,  and 
they  see  his  shame.' " 
22 


254  MEMOIR    OF 

Thus  did  the  insulted  pastor  vindicate  his  office  and 
the  truth.  He  was  now  fast  approaching  a  compli- 
cated series  of  ecclesiastical  struggles.  The  time  was 
at  hand,  when  an  exposure  was  to  be  made  of  the  sad 
declension  and  defection  of  many  churches,  which  still 
claimed  to  be  in  fellowship  upon  the  doctrinal  and 
ecclesiastical  basis  of  the  Platform  of  1648,  and  the 
Confession  of  1680.  The  practical  results  of  the  un- 
toward alliance  between  Church  and  State,  were  also 
to  be  exhibited.  And  the  church  in  Fitchburg,  under 
the  guidance  of  a  pastor,  endowed  with  gifts  and 
graces  for  the  purpose,  had  been  destined  to  lead  the 
way,  in  the  painful,  but  happy  deliverance  of  the  true 
churches  of  "  the  fathers,"  from  civil  bondage  on  the 
one  hand,  and  formalism  and  corruption  on  the  other. 

From  the  controversy,  which  was  now  so  inevita- 
ble, Dr.  Worcester  would  gladly  have  retired.  When 
he  saw  himself  made  the  especial  mark  of  the  assail- 
ants, he  signified  to  some  of  his  friends  his  preference 
to  leave  the  ground.  He  was  even  anxious  to  be  dis- 
missed :  so  much  so,  that  they  could  not  refrain  from 
suspecting,  and  from  intimating  to  him,  that  he  did 
not  sufficiently  regard  their  welfare.  He  concluded  to 
await  the  clearer  indications  of  the  divine  will.  His 
resolution  was  the  more  fortified,  as  his  opposers,  and 
the  malcontents  generally,  became  violent  and  out- 
rageous in  their  measures  and  menaces. — He  was  not 
to  be  intimidated  or  coerced.  Ready  to  depart  in  a 
regular  manner,  at  the  earliest  moment  of  propriety, 
he  could  respond  to  every  experiment  upon  his  firm- 
ness,— "  Should  such  a  man  as  I  flee  ?" 

In  his  accumulating  trials,  he  exceedingly  felt  his 
personal  loss,  in  the  removal  of  his  brother  Leonard 
to  Peacham,  Vt.     It  was  a  great  disappointment  to 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  255 

him,  not  to  bo  able  to   assist  in   the  services  of  that 
brother's  ordination.* 

«  FUchburg-,  Oct,  17,  1799. 
My  dear  Brother, — 

It  is  with  singular  regret,  that  I  relinquish  the  hope 
of  being  present  at  your  ordination — a  hope,  which  I 
have  hitherto  cherished  with  peculiar  fondness.  But 
I  must  bow  in  submission  to  the  voice  of  a  sovereign 
and  holy  Providence.  My  father,  whom  I  expect  to 
be  the  bearer  of  this,  will  inform  you  of  my  condition. 

The  scene  before  you,  my  brother,  is  peculiarly  in- 
teresting and  trying.  It  must  awaken  feelings,  to 
which  you  have  heretofore  been  a  stranger ;  and  give 
you  a  more  impressive  sense,  than  you  have  ever  be- 
fore had,  of  what  is  contained  in  the  apostolic  exclam- 
ation, '  Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things.^  But  thanks 
be  to  God,  there  is  One,  whose  grace  is  sufficient ; 
and  of  his  fulness — it  is  my  fervent  aspiration, — may 
you  abundantly  receive,  and  grace  for  grace,  that  you 
may  be  enabled  to  sustain  the  weighty  and  solemn 
charge,  w^iich  you  are  about  to  take  upon  you. 

Though  absent  in  body,  I  shall  be  present  in  spirit, 
and  with  rapture  bid  you  welcome  into  the  vineyard 
of  our  common  Lord.  Welcome  to  a  participation  in 
the  labors  and  honors,  the  anxieties  and  consolations, 
the  reproaches  and  the  triumphs,  of  the  christian  min- 
istry. O  my  brother,  gird  up  the  loins  of  your  mind, 
and  be  strong,  in  the  Lord.  And  being  yourself  the 
faithful  minister^  may  you  ere  long  know,  that  as  there 

*  When  Leonard  was  considering  the  question  of  entering  the  ministry, 
he  had  to  rely  mainly  upon  his  own  convictions  of  the  will  of  Providence. 
The  brothers  Noah  and  Thomas  were  disposed  rather  to  discourage  him,  in 
consequence  of  his  age,  his  family,  and  his  great  usefulness  at  Worcester. 
But  his  brother  at  Fitchburg,  although  not  prepared  at  first  to  speak  decid- 
edly, favored  his  plans,  and  was  willing  to  confide  in  his  judgment.  He 
had  made  great  attainments,  in  course  of  the  ten  years  after  he  became  of 
age  ;  and  highly  as  he  was  estimated,  he  was  found  in  the  pulpit  to  be  far  in 
advance  of  many,  who  had  enjoyed  the  best  means  of  a  liberal  education. 
Few  pastors  of  New  England  ever  had  a  more  honored  ministry.  He  was 
ordained,  Oct.  30, 1799. 


256  MEMOIR    OF 

are  no  sorrows  like  his  sorrows,  so  are  there  no  joys 
like  his  joys. 

Unable  to  write  more — I  can  only  add  an  assurance, 
that  you  have  a  brother,  who  will  never  forget  you,  in 

Samuel  Worcester. 

Mr.  Leonard  Worcester." 

Dr.  Luther  Jewett 

"  Fitchburg-,  Oct.  21,  1799. 
My  dear  friend, — 

I  have  lately  received  your  much  esteemed  favor  of 
Aug.  23d,  by  which  I  learn,  that  you  have  forwarded 
three  letters,  since  you  saw  me,  but  have  received  none 
in  return.  Our  correspondence  is  certainly  attended 
with  great  infelicity.  I  have  received  but  one  of  yours, 
besides  that  of  23d  Aug.  I  wrote  and  sent  off  one,  if 
I  rightly  remember,  in  the  latter  part  of  May.  Be- 
sides that,  I  have  forwarded  none.  I  fear  that  I  can 
frame  no  apology  satisfactory  to  my  own  feelings ;  but 
must  acknowledge  a  criminal  negligence.  For  neither 
want  of  health,  nor  the  want  of  direct  conveyance,  can 
fully  satisfy  the  imparcloning  severity  of  friendship ! 
I  should  exceedingly  regret  the  discontinuance  of  our 
correspondence ;  and  am  pleased  with  your  proposal. 
There  is  a  Post- Office  in  Leominster,  from  which  I 
could  receive  letters  any  week. 

You  express  a  very  kind  solicitude  for  my  health 
and  prosperity.  I  have  been  more  unwell  than  is 
usual  for  me,  for  the  most  of  the  time  since  the  first 
of  June.  In  July,  I  was  obliged  to  make  a  tour  for 
my  health,  by  which  it  was  in  some  measure  recruited; 
and  I  was  afterwards  on  the  mending  hand,  till  three 
or  four  weeks  ago,  when,  in  consequence  of  a  cold,  an 
abcess  began  to  form  on  the  lower  part  of  my  face. 
It  has  been  a  terrible  sore,  but  is  at  present  in  a  good 
way  ;  and  as  it  has  discharged  pretty  copiously,  I  hope 
it  will  be  for  my  better  health.  My  confinement  at 
this  time  is  peculiarly  unhappy,  as  it  prevents  my  at- 
tending the    ordination  of  my  brother  at  Peacham. 


SAMUEL.  WORCESTER.  257 

Had  I  boon  ahlo  to  ^o  to  the  ordination,  as  I  ardently 
wished,  I  .should  have  made  it  in  my  way  to  visit  my 
brothers  and  friends  on  Merrimack  River,  on  my  jour- 
ney up,  and  should  certainly  have  cahed  on  you,  in 
my  return.  J3ut  of  all  the  happiness,  which  I  had  so 
fondly  anticipated,  I  am  providentially  deprived.  I 
must  stay  and  learn  resignation,  and  a  better  disci- 
pline of  my  hopes  and  desires  at  home.  An  important 
lesson,  you  will  say,  truly — and  worth  the  staying  at 
home  all  winter  to  learn. 

There  is  a  hopeful  and  prevailing  seriousness,  at 
present,  among  my  people.  I  am  frequently  called 
upon  by  persons,  who  wish  to  converse  on  the  subject 
of  their  spiritual  and  eternal  concerns :  and  many  of 
my  hours,  every  week,  are  happily  spent  in  this  way. 
Still,  however,  there  are  many  adversaries. 

I  rejoice  to  hear  of  your  health  and  well-doing. 
God  Almighty  bless  thee,  my  friend. 

Mrs.  Worcester  has  your  lady  in  very  affectionate 
remembrance. — As  the  gentleman  by  whom  I  shall 
forward  this  to  Newfane,  is  now  waiting — I  fear  im- 
patiently,— I  must  hasten  to  a  conclusion.  Send  me 
another  letter  by  the  first  westerly  wind.  I  must  be- 
lieve you  to  have  some  skill  in  your  profession,  for 
your  cordials  always  do  me  good. 

Yours,  with  unabating  friendship, 

Samuel  Worcester." 

When,  in  Feb.  1800,  the  life  and  character  of  the 
departed  Washington,  were  the  theme  of  thousands 
of  eulogies,  an  Oration  by  the  pastor  of  Fitchburg 
was  well  received.  Although  hastily  prepared,  and  in 
much  weakness,  it  was  thought  worthy  of  publication. 
It  could  be  applauded  even  by  his  sectarian  adversa- 
ries, as  Washington  himself  could  be  extolled  to  the 
highest  heaven,  by  the  very  men,  who,  as  political 
enemies,  had  done  so  much  to  bring  his  hoary  head  in 
sorrow,    to    the  repose  of  his  ashes  in  the  tomb  of 

Mount  Vernon. 
22* 


258  MEMOIR    OP 

Rev.  Leonard  Worcester. 

"  HoUis,  June  6,  1800. 


') 


My  dear  Brother, — 

Yours,  by  favor  of  Mr.  Goss,  I  have  been  so  happy 
as  to  receive.  It  was  refreshing  as  tlie  deiu  of  Hermon, 
I  need  not  tell  you  with  what  painful  sensations  I 
contemplate  the  immense  distance,  which  separates 
between  me,  and  the  congenial  brother,  whose  prox- 
imity, I  once  considered  as  the  most  agreeable  circum- 
stance of  my  local  situation,  and  in  whose  society,  I 
had  so  fondly  hoped  to  share  largely  in  the  endearing 
comforts  of  fraternal  friendship.  But  God  is  wise  and 
good ;  and  in  the  allotment  of  his  providence,  I  would 
submissively  acquiesce.  I  trust,  that  Peacham  is  the 
place,  in  which,  instrumentally,  you  are  to  do  much 
for  that  beloved  kingdom,  in  which,  if  our  hearts  be 
right,  all  our  most  ardent  desires  are  united. 

I  am  rejoiced  to  hear,  that  God  has  begun  a  gra- 
cious work,  in  your  neighborhood.  I  pray  it  may  go 
on  and  prosper,  until  the  moimtains,  all  around  you, 
break  forth  into  singing,  and  the  irilderness  shall  re- 
joice, and  blossom  as  the  rose.  O,  my  brother,  God 
hath  not  forgotten  Zion.  He  is  mindful  of  his  prom- 
ise,— '  When  the  enemy  cometh  in  like  a  flood,  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall  lift  up  a  standard  against  him.* 
We  have  good  news  from  many  places.  At  Abington 
and  in  the  vicinity,  the  divine  power  and  grace  are 
gloriously  triumphant  indeed ;  and  the  work  at  Yale 
College  must  certainly  be  considered  as  an  eminent 
token  of  good  to  the  church.* 

*  Dr.  Dwighl  became  President  of  Yale  College,  in  the  autumn  of  the 
year,  when  Dr.  W.  graduated.  In  1797,  he  delivered  two  admirable  Bac- 
calaurate  Discourses,  on  "  the  Nature  and  Danger  of  Infidel  Philosophy." 
These  were  published  in  179S,  and,  wherever  read,  could  not  but  exert  a 
most  salutary  iiilluence,  when  so  many,  both  of  the  educated  and  uneducat- 
ed classes,  were  becoming  infatuated  by  the  sophistries  and  "  abominable 
works"  of  "the  fool,"  who  "hath  said  in  his  heart — no  God."  A  vast 
change  was  wrought  in  the  opinions  of  young  men  in  Yale  College.  In  a 
short  period,  the  roaring  tide  of  infidelity  there  was  eflectually  turned  ;  and 
revealed  religion  was  invested  with  dignity  and  glory,  in  the  eyes  of  those 
who  had  before  regarded  it  with  scorn.     It  is  to  this  "  work  "  more  particu- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  2''j9 

Our  Missionary  Society  is  in  a  flonrisliing  state. 
The  number  of  members  amounts  to  upwards  of  120  ; 
and  the  money  already  in  the  hands  of  the;  treasurer, 
to  about  $1,0'')0.  Let  us  pray  to  the  Lord  of  tlie  har- 
vest, that  he  will  raise  up  laborers  for  the  injj)()rtant 
work. 

I  have  this  week  attended  election  at  Concord. 
*  You  know  the  man,'  who  preached,  'and  his  commu- 
nications.' I  therefore  need  tell  you  no  more  than 
that  his  sermon  was,  in  my  opinion,  a  good  one  for 
him*     A  copy  of  it  is  left  for  the  press. 

At  Fitchburg,  I  do  not  know,  that  any  very  con- 
siderable alteration  has  taken  place,  since  I  had  the 
happiness  to  see  you  there.  Some  serious  attention 
to  religion  continues  to  be  visible;  but  I  find  it  is 
rather  abating.  Eflbrts  are  still  making  to  propagate 
the  doctrine  of  universal  salvation  ;  preachers  for  the 
purpose  are  from  time  to  time  admitted  into  the  town  ; 
and  a  considerable  number,  especially  of  the  upper 
part  of  the  town  people,  attend  upon  their  preaching. 
To  counteract  their  influence,  I  have  thought  it  expe- 
dient to  attend  pretty  largely  to  the  doctrine  of  eternal 
punishment ;    and    accordingly    have   preached   three 

larly,  that  Dr.  W.  is  supposed  to  refer  in  the  above  letter.  According'  to 
Prof.  Goodrich's  "  Narrative  of  Revivals  of  Rehgion  in  Yale  College,"  &c., 
(Q«.  Reg.  Am.  Ed.  Soc.)  there  were  "instances  of  conversion,  marked 
with  the  same  strong-  impressions  of  truth,  as  were  common  at  that  day," 
[in  the  revivals  at  the  close  of  the  century  ;]  but  after  Dr.  Dwiglit  had  suc- 
ceeded Pres.  Stiles,  it  was  not  until  1S02,  that  there  was  a  revival,  which 
has  been  recorded  as  "a  memorable  dispensation."' — If  Dr.  Dwight  had 
been  at  Harvard  College,  what  a  difference  might  have  been  made,  in  the 
religious  history  of  Massachusetts,  during  the   present  century  I 

*  Just  before  their  brother  Noah  preached  the  New  Hanips^hire  Election 
Sermon,  he  thus  wrote  himself  to  Leonard  : — "  There  has  been  a  Jacobinic 
bustle  in  our  State,  with  a  view  to  exclude  Governor  Gilman  from  his  olfice. 
Bui  it  is  now  pretty  certain,  that  the  object  of  his  enemies  will  not  be  ob- 
tained. The  progress  of  vice  and  the  spirit  of  faction  give  us  reason  to  fear, 
that,  as  a  nation,  ice  have  seen  oicr  best  days.  It  is  truly  lamentable,  that 
gray  hairs  shon/d  be  seeyi  so  early  iifon  our  national  existence.'  And  the 
friends  of  God  and  of  Government  are  loudly  called  upon,  to  exert  them- 
selves for  the  safety  of  the  nation."  Those  "  ^raj/ /iaiV,s," — now  in  Cali- 
fornia ? 


260  MEMOIR    OF 

Sabbaths  on  the  subject,  from  this  text,  '  The  fear  of 
the  ivicked^  it  shall  come  vpon  him.''  The  sermons  were 
thought  by  some  to  be  very  convincing;  and  it  is  pos- 
sible, that,  in  due  time,  they  may  appear  from  the 
press. 

I  thank  you  for  your  Oration  ;  and  wish  it  were  in 
my  power  to  send  you  as  g-ood  a  one  in  return.  And, 
therefore,  since  there  is  a  willing  mand,  you  will  be 
pleased  to  accept,  according  to  what  I  have,  and  not 
according  to  what  I  have  not.  If  it  do  not  answer 
your  expectations,  it  may  serve  to  correct  a  mistake, 
and  to  convince  you  of  the  impropriety  of  judging  of 
a  performance  before  you  have  seen  it. 

In  regard  to  visiting  at  Peacham,  I  can  say  nothing 
with  certainty,  only  that  inclination  is  not  wanting. 
I  think  it  will  not  be  convenient  for  me  to  attend 
Commencement.  And  as  I  wish,  if  it  may  be  con- 
sistent, to  take  your  sister  with  me,  when  I  visit  in 
your  quarter,  the  probability  is,  that  you  will  not  see 
me  before  winter. 

We  have  an  affectionate  remembrance  of  our  dear 
sister. 

Your  brother,  as  always, 

Samuel  Worcester.'^ 

,   Dr.  Luther  Jewett. 

"  HoUis,  June  6,  1800. 
My  dear  Friend, — 

Yours  of  20th  April,  I  have  been  so  happy  as  to  re- 
ceive. I  need  not  tell  you  with  what  feelings  of  re- 
gret, I  contemplate  the  immense  distance,  which  sepa- 
rates between  me,  and  the  friend,,  ichom  I rep^ard  as  a 
brother^  and  in  corresponding  with  whom,  I  had  fond- 
ly hoped  to  receive  so  much  pleasure  and  improve- 
ment. But  He,  by  whom  the  bounds  of  our  habita- 
tion are  determined,  is  wise  and  good.  I  trust  your 
removal,  disagreeable  as  it  is  to  me,  on  personal  con- 
siderations, will  be  on  the  whole,  for  the  furtherance 
of  your  own  interest  and  happiness,  and  of  the  good 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  261 

of  the  community. — I  am  sensibly  tonchod  with  the 
unliappy  and  alllictive  occurrences,  which  you  have 
lately  experienced.  A  place  exempt  from  disappoint- 
ment, disaster,  and  sorrow,  I  ])resume,  my  friend,  you 
do  not  expect  to  find  in  this  world.  Yet  this  world, 
no  doubt,  is  a  good  one,  being  perfectly  adapted  to 
answer  the  purposes  of  our  present  existence  ;  and  it 
is  subservient  to  our  moral  improvement,  and  our 
future  well-being.  Happy  should  we  be,  would  we 
learn  to  meet  every  event  with  equanimity,  and  habit- 
ually to  derive  our  chief  comfort  from  sources,  beyond 
the  reach  of  casualty  and  disappointment. 

My  health  is,  at  present,  in  quite  as  good  a  state 
as  usual.  My  family  is  here  with  me,  on  a  visit,  all 
well.  In  regard  to  my  situation  among  my  people, 
nothing  very  noticeable  has  transpired,  since  I  had 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  at  my  house.  You  are  not 
unapprized,  that  I  always  hold  myself  in  readiness  for 
a  removal.  I  know  not  why  it  is ;  but  although  I 
contemplate  a  removal  as  no  improbable  event,  it 
gives  me  no  disquietude. 

I  saw  your  brother  Adams  at  Leicester,  about  three 
weeks  ago — he  and  his  family  were  well. 

The  Oration  which  accompanies  this,  you  will  be 
pleased  to  accept.  If  it  were  a  great  deal  better,  you 
should  be  quite  as  welcome  to  it. 

From  the  coldness  and  dulness  of  this  letter,  I  be- 
lieve you  will  be  induced  to  think,  that  a  chilling  frost 
has  gathered  around  my  heart.  But  need  I  apologize, 
my  friend,  to  you  ?  Having  returned  this  evening 
from  election  at  Concord,  I  find  myself  exceedingly 
fatigued,  and  my  spirits  very  languid.  My  letter  will 
be  called  for,  early  in  the  morning.  You  may  expect 
another  letter  from  me,  soon  as  opportunity  presents. 
I  know  you  will  write  as  often  as  possible. 

Mrs.  Worcester  has  an  affectionate  remembrance  of 
Mrs.  Jewett.  My  respects  you  will  make  acceptable 
to  her. 

Yours,  with  unabating  affection, 

Samuel  Worcester." 


262  MEMOIR    OF 

His  political  sentiments  again  had  an  utterance,  on 
the  ensuing  4th  of  July.  At  that  time,  he  poured  out 
a  strain  of  argumentative,  and  indignant  protestation 
against  the  doctrines  of  the  "  Illuminati,^^  or  the  infidel, 
impudent,  and  pestilent  pretensions  of  the  devotees  of 
the  French  republic ;  which,  already  in  the  hands  of 
the  First  Consul,  was  about  to  give  entire  place  to  the 
military  despotism  of  the  imperial  eagles.  It  was  a 
subject  upon  which  he  had  read  very  thoughtfully, 
and  which  he  had  ample  resources  to  illustrate.  Not 
many  of  our  statesmen  had  more  knowledge  of  modern 
history,  or  were  any  better  qualified  to  impart  counsel, 
at  such  a  crisis. 

But  it  is  our  privilege  to  know,  that  the  apprehen- 
sions which  he  and  so  many  others  felt,  were  never 
realized.  The  Supreme  Ruler  of  all  things  had  pur- 
poses to  accomplish,  of  which,  agreeably  to  past 
methods  of  his  will,  only  ivicked  men  can  be  employed 
as  leading  instruments.  Not  improbably,  our  own  po- 
litical institutions  needed  modification,  and  some  great 
changes,  which  were  not  contemplated  in  the  primary 
ideal  of  the  purest  and  most  patriotic  Federalism ; 
while  in  the  old  world,  nation  must  of  necessity  be 
dashed  against  nation,  and  revolution  succeed  revolu- 
tion, until  the  time  of  the  end. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  2G3 


CHAPTER   VI. 

Sermons  on  ihe  punishment  of  the  wicked.  The  "  Fitchburg  controversy." 
Eflbrts  of  the  legal  voters  of  the  town,  to  control  the  pastor  and  the  church. 
Mutual  Council,  June  22,  ISOl.  Ex  parte  Council,  Sept.  15,  l&Ol.  Protest 
of  the  church.  "  Facts  and  Documents,"  &c.  Further  measures  of  oppo- 
sition. Proposals  of  conciliation,  (fcc.  Second  ex  parte  Council.  Council 
of  advice  to  the  church.  Third  Ex  parte  Council.  Second  Mutual  Coun- 
cil.    Farewell  to  Filchburg. 

Beloved,  when  I  gave  all  diligence  to  write  unto  you  of  the  common  sal- 
vation, it  was  needful  for  me  to  write  unto  you,  and  exhort  you  that  ye 
should  earnestly  contend  for  the  faith  which  was  once  delivered  unto  the 
saints.  For  there  are  certain  men  crept  in  unawares,  who  were  before  of 
old  ordained  unto  this  condemnation,  ungodly  men.  turning  the  grace  of  our 
God  into  lasciviousness,  and  denying  the  only  Lord  God,  and  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.    *    *    *    Wo  unto  them ! 

Early  in  the  year  1800,  Dr.  Worcester  gave  a  more 
particular  attention  to  the  doctrine  of  "  eternal  judg- 
ment," which  was  so  generally  controverted  and  denied 
by  his  opposers.  He  preached  and  published  "  Six 
Sermons,"  on  this  subject.  It  was  his  purpose  to  re- 
fute the  popular  arguments  and  objections  of  Univer- 
salists, — with  many  of  which  he  had  become  familiar, 
by  the  developments  of  the  opposition  to  the  truth,  at 
Fitchburg. 

"  Observing,  with  deep  concern,  the  efforts  which 
were  making,  to  propagate  the  doctrine  of  universal 
salvation,  among  the  people  of  his  particular  charge  ; 
the  author  had,  for  some  time,  felt  it  to  be  a  duty,  in- 
cumbent on  him,  to  use  his  endeavors  to  counteract 
those  efforts,  and  to  prevent  the  spread  of  what  he  con- 
siders a  most  dangerous  delusion.  With  this  view, 
the  discourses,  here  respectfully  presented  to  the  pub- 
lic, were  written  and  delivered  ;  with  the  same  view, 
and   in   compliance   with  particular  request,  they  are 


264  MEMOIR    OP 

now  published  from  the  press.  They  claim  no  com- 
parison with  the  excellent  publications,  previously  ex- 
tant, on  the  same  general  subject.  A  hope  is,  how- 
ever, indulged,  that  since  they  may  fall  into  the  hands 
of  some,  who  may  want  opportunity  or  inclination,  to 
peruse  the  more  elaborate  and  voluminous  productions 
of  an  Edwards  or  a  Strong,  they  will  not  be  totally 
useless. 

As  these  discoui:ses  were  designed  to  meet  and  ex- 
plode the  popular  universalism,  some  things  are  in- 
sisted on,  which,  to  those  whose  knowledge  of  the 
Universalian  scheme  is  derived  wholly  from  books,  may 
appear  unimportant. 

The  facility,  with  which  Universalism,  in  its  various 
and  perpetually  varying  forms,  is  propagated,  is  owing 
in  a  great  measure,  it  is  believed,  to  the  very  lax  senti- 
ments, and  the   defective  conceptions  of  the  depraved 
state  of  mankind,  and  of  the   nature   and  importance 
of  real  Christianity, — which  are  extensively  prevailing. 
Let  it  be  believed,  that  the  depravity  of  human  nature 
is  but  a  slight  infirmity,  not  hereditary,  but  contracted  ; 
that  religion  consists  chiefly  in  charity  and  civility  to 
mankind,  and  the  power  of  godliness  is  a  mere  delu- 
sion ;  that  a  person's  religious  opinions  are  of  no  ma- 
terial  consequence,   provided  he   be   sincere;  in    one 
word,  that,  bating  some  slight  shades  of  difference  in 
external  character,  men  of  all  classes  and  descriptions 
are  in  a  moral  estimation,  very  much  alike  : — Let  this 
be  believed,  and  there  remains  but  a  very  small  step  to 
complete  Universalism.    Hence,  it  was  conceived  to  be 
of  primary  importance,  that  the  axe  be  laid  to  the  root 
of  the  tree ;  that  the  native  moral  condition  of  man- 
kind, and  the  grand  distinction  between  the  righteous 
and   the  wicked,  in   regard   both  to  the  state  of  their 
hearts,  and  the  relations  they  bear  to  God,  his  law,  and 
his  kingdom,  be  clearly  exhibited,  in  the   true  light  of 
Scripture.     This  may  suffice  to  apologize,  if  apology 
be  needful,  for  the  introduction  of  some  leading  arti- 
cles, which,  though  they  may  appear  not  to   bear  so 
directly  on  the  grand  point  in  question,  are,  however, 
the  foundation  of  the  whole  connected  series  of  argu- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  265 

ment,  and  will,  therefore,  be  attended  to,  it  is  hoped, 
with  ^rcat  seriousness  and  candor. 
Fiichburg',  21lli  October,  IbOO."  * 


The  text  which  he  chose  for  this  course  of  sermons, 
is  the  declaration  in   Prov.  x.  24. — Tni:  fear  of  the 

WICKED,  IT    SHALL    COME     UPON     HIM.       TilC    doctrinC    is, 

that  "the  wicked  will  be  punished  with  niisery  after 
death  ;  and  their  punishment  will  be  endless."  The 
two  propositions  which  are  embraced  in  the  doctrine, 
as  thus  stated,  are  considered  separately,  the  former  in 
the  first  and  second  sermons,  and  the  latter  in  the  third 
and  fourth.  In  the  fifth  and  sixth,  the  preacher  "  at- 
tempts some  improvement  of  the  subject." 

The  proof  of  the  first  proposition,  viz., — "  The  wick- 
ed will  be  punished  with  misery  after  death," — is  "  ar- 
ranged under  several  distinct  articles." 

"  1.  There  is,  according  to  the  Scriptures,  a  great 
and  essential  diflerence,  between  the  righteous  and  the 
wicked. 

2.  The  great  and  holy  God,  as  represented  in  the 
Scriptures,  has  very  different  feelings  towards  the  right- 
eous, from  what  he  has  towards  the  wicked. 

3.  The  Scriptures  assure  us,  that  the  righteous  are 
in  a  pardoned  or  justified  state  ;  but  the  wicked  in  a 
state  of  condemnation,  under  the  curse  of  the  divine 

law. 

4.  The  Scriptures  promise  safety  and  peace  to  the 
righteous  ;  but  declare,  that  a  punishment  the  most 
tremendous  awaits  the  wicked. 

5.  The  Scriptures  represent  the  death  of  the  right- 
eous, as  being  happy ;  but  the  death  of  the  wicked  as 
being  terrible. 

6.  It  is  very  explicitly  revealed  in  the  Scriptures, 

*  "  Preface''  to  "  Six  Sermons,  on  the  Doctrine  of  Future  Tunishment. 
By  Samuel  Worcester,  A.M.,  Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Fiichburg,&c.  IbOO." 
IS  mo.  pp.  150. 

23 


266  MEMOIR    OF 

that,  although  the  righteous  be  happy,  the  wicked  are 
miserable,  in  the  invisible  world  of  spirits." 

The  argument,  then,  it  will  be  perceived,  is  that  of 
the  revealed  testimony  of  "  a  just  God,  and  a  Savior." 
The  passages  of  Scripture  which  are  cited,  and  more 
or  less  critically  examined  and  expounded,  constitute 
a  chain  of  perfect  moral  demonstration.  The  same  re- 
mark is  equally  applicable  to  the  "  proof"  of  the  second 
proposition,  viz.,  "  That  the  future  punishment  of  the 
wicked  will  continue,  duration  without  end." 

"  1.  It  appears  from  the  Scriptures,  that  there  will 
be  a  tremendous  distinction  between  the  righteous  and 
the  wicked,  in  the  day  of  general  resurrection. 

2.  The  wicked  will  be  separated,  and  awfully  dis- 
tinguished, from  the  righteous,  in  the  general  judg- 
ment. 

3.  The  Spirit  of  inspiration  speaks  of  the  scenes, 
which  are  to  take  place,  at  the  end  of  the  present 
world,  viz.,  the  general  resurrection  and  judgment,  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  lead  us  into  the  conclusion,  that, 
by  them  the  scene  of  Providence,  respecting  men,  as 
candidates  for  future  or  eternal  reward,  will  be  closed, 
and  that  afterwards  there  will  be  no  probation. 

4.  The  wicked,  who  fall  under  the  sentence  of  con- 
demnation, in  the  last  great  day,  will  never  obtain  a 
part  in  Christ's  salvation. 

5.  The  Scriptures,  instead  of  warranting  the  opin- 
ion or  hope,  that  the  future  punishment  of  the  wicked 
will  sometime  come  to  an  end,  assure  us  in  language 
than  which  none  could  be  plainer,  or  stronger,  that  it 
will  never  cease. 

Inference  I.  From  what  has  been  offered  in  the 
preceding  discourses,  it  is  obvious  to  infer,  that  the 
Scriptures,  on  a  fair  construction,  give  no  support  to 
the  doctrine  of  universal  salvation." 

The  whole  of  sermon  V.  is  appropriated  to  this 
point  alone.     In  sermon  VI.  the  preacher  begins  with 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


207 


Infcroncc  TT.  Tho  eternal  damnation  *  of  the  wick- 
ed is  not  incompatible  with  justice. 

Inference  111.  The  eternal  damnation  of  the  finally 
im])enitent  is  not  incompatil)le  with  goodness. 

Inference  IV.  The  fiitnre  punishment  of  the  wicked 
is  not  designed  for  their  personal  good. 

Inference  V.  The  doctrine  of  eternal  punishment, 
so  far  from  obscuring,  eminently  illustrates  the  glory 
of  the  Gospel. 

Inference  VI.  A  cordial  belief  and  acquiescence  in 
the  doctrine  of  eternal  punishment,  is  no  indication  of 
the  want  of  true  benevolence. 

Inference  VIL  The  doctrine  of  universal  salvation, 
in  whatever  form,  is,  in  its  tendency  and  general  inllu- 
ence,  most  dangerous  and  pernicious. 

The  manifold  objections  of  the  ablest  advocates  of 
the  doctrine  of  universal  salvation  are  fairly  met,  from 
the  Scriptures  and  from  right  reason.  The  discussion 
throughout  is  elevated,  dignified,  earnest,  and  solemn. 
There  is  a  seeming  determination  to  avoid  everything, 
in  spirit  and  style,  which  might  offer  any  plausible 
occasion  of  offence  to  those  whose  false  refuges  were 
so  assailed  by  "  the  weapons,"  which  are  "  mighty 
through  God  to  the  pulling  down  of  strong  holds." 

In  sermon  11.  the  preacher  says, — 

"  Some,  in  the  present  age  of  licentious  speculation, 
have  labored  to  make  themselves  and  others  believe, 
that  there  is  no  hell,  beside  what  people  endure  in  the 
present  life  from  the  lashes  and  stings  of  a  guilty  con- 
science. With  equal  reason  might  we  suppose  there 
is  no  heaven,  beside  what  is  enjoyed  in  this  world,  in 
the  plaudits  of  an  approving  conscience,  and  in  com- 
fortable reflections.     The  Scriptures  reveal  a  hell,  pre- 

*  This  word,  and  those  of  kindred  nature,  Dr.  W.  did  not  refrain  from 
using  in  the  proper  place,  but  was  accustomed  to  utter  them  with  a  lone  of 
deep  f  jlemnity,  blended  with  sorrow  ;  and  not  with  the  lluency  and  harsh- 
ness of  the  tones  of  denunciation  or  invective,  "as  the  manner  of  some  is." 


268  MEMOIR    OP 

pared  in  the  invisible  world  for  the  wicked,  as  clearly 
as  a  heaven,  prepared  for  the  righteous ;  and  we  have 
as  much  reason  to  believe  the  one  a  reality  as  the 
other.  The  passage,  now  in  view,  is  clear  and  conclu- 
sive on  this  point.  The  rich  man  died,  and  the  next 
thing  heard  of  him,  in  Iiell  he  lifted  up  his  eyes  being 
in  torment.         *  *  *  *  .  * 

Before  w^e  come  to  a  close  of  this  discourse,  it  may 
be  expedient  to  take  notice  of  a  newly  invented  notion, 
which  may  possibly  come  forward,  in  the  form  of  an 
objection,  against  the  conclusiveness  of  what  has  been 
delivered. 

It  is  said  by  Dr.  Joseph  Huntington*  and  his  disci- 
ples, that  all  the  terror  which  the  Bible  denounces  is 
the  voice  of  the  law,  and  all  the  peace  and  good  news, 
which  it  proclaims,  the  voice  of  the  Gospel.  '  We  find 
the  law  and  Gospel  displayed  side  by  side  through  the 
whole.  The  law  everywhere  sounds  with  awful  terror 
in  accents  of  pure  justice,  towards  man,  without  a  Sa- 
vior. The  Gospel  is  all  mere  news,  good  news,  glad 
tidings  through  a  Mediator. — The  law  tells  what  man 
deserves  in  his  own  personal  character ;  the  Gospel, 
what  the  Son  of  man,  the  Son  of  God  deserves.'  f  '  The 
voice  of  the  whole  law  and  the  voice  of  the  Gospel  are 
exceedingly  distinct  and  diametrically  opposite.' J  The 
grand  position,  if  I  do  not  mistake  it,  is  this  :  '  Though 
the  voice  of  the  law  thunder  with  awful  terror,  through 
the  whole  Bible,  denouncing  everlasting  destruction, 
yet  the  Gospel  sounds,  at  the  same  time,  in  the  mild 
accents  of  mercy,  proclaiming  peace  and  eternal  sal- 
vation, to  all  mankind.  When  the  law  says,  ye  shall 
surely  die,  the  Gospel  says,  ye  shall  not  surely  die  !  § 
Hence,  the  law  and  Gospel  are  in  diametrical  opposi- 
tion, the  one  to  the  other.     But  the  voice  of  the  Gos- 


♦  Of  Coventry,  Conn.  He  died  in  1795.  After  his  death,  his  work,  "  pre- 
posterously styled"  Calvinism  Impjoved^was  made  public.  Il  was  answered 
by  Rev.  N.  Strong,  D.  D  ,  of  Hartford,  in  179(3, — the  same  year  in  which  it 
appeared. 

t  "  Calvinism  Improved,  p.  32."  }  "  Ibid,  p.  43." 

^  "  Compare  Gen.  iii.  4  with  chap.  ii.  17." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  269 

pel  will  provail,  the  law  will  be  arrested  in  process, 
and  all  mankind  will  be  saved.'*  All  this,  it  should 
be  remembered,  though  it  be  confessedly  th(i  main  pil- 
lar of  the  Iluntinglonian  scheme,  is  naked  assrrfion^ 
without  a  single  argument  to  support  it. — But,  should 
it  be  granted,  which,  however,  is  not  true,  that  all  the 
terror,  which  the  Bible  denounces  is  the  voice  of  the 
law,  and  all  the  peace  which  it  proclaims,  the  voice  of 
the  Gospel;  what  does  this  go  to  prove?  Upon  this 
hypothesis,  the  law  speaks  to  sinners,  and  the  Gospel 
to  saints,  only,  for  the  Bil)le,  as  we  have  shown  at 
large,  everywhere  speaks  peace  to  the  righteous ;  but 
terror  to  the  wicked.  But  if  the  law  and  Gospel  run 
side  by  side,  f  as  it  is  so  confidently  asserted,  the  one 
denouncing  wrath,  and  the  other  proclaiming  peace,  to 
all  mankind;  why  should  this  distinction, between  the 
righteous  and  the  wicked,  be  so  scrupulously  marked 
and  so  constantly  exhibited,  in  every  part  of  the  sacred 
volume  ?  Why  should  not  the  Bible  speak  terror,  in 
the  language  of  the  law,  and  peace  in  the  language  of 
the  Gospel,  to  all,  without  any  discrimination  of  charac- 
ter ?  Dr.  Huntinsrton  makes  the  difference  in  the  moral 
character  of  men,  in  this  world,  exceedingly  small ; 
and  immediately  after  death,  according  to  his  scheme, 

*  "  If  the  law  and  Gospel  be  diametrically  opposite,  we  certainly  want  more 
substantial  proof,  than  any  furnished  by  Dr.  Huntington,  that  the  law  will 
not  ultimately  prevail,  and  all  mankind  be  damned." 

t  "  That '  the  law  and  Gospel  are  displayed  side  by  side/  is  doubtless  true 
in  a  certain  sense,  but  not  in  the  sense  of  Dr.  Huntington.  Instead  of  being 
diametrically  opposite  they  are  perfectly  harmonious.  Christ  says,  Think  not 
that  1  am  come  to  destroy  the  law,  or  the  prophets  ;  I  am  not  come  to  de- 
stroy, but  to  fulfill.  It  is  ditricult,  perhaps,  to  conceive  of  a  greater  absurdity, 
in  a  governmental  view,  than  Dr.  Huntington's  notion  of  law  and  Gospel. — A 
law  is  enacted  by  the  sovereign  authority  of  the  United  States,  which  ex- 
pressly threatens  death  to  every  transgressor  ;  but  at  the  same  time,  and  by 
the  same  authority,  it  is  promulgated,  that  every  transgressor  of  that  law  shall 
certainly  be  pardoned  and  restored  to  the  favor  and  protection  of  the  govern- 
ment. Now,  I  ask,  of  what  force  is  the  law?  Will  it  impose  the  least  re- 
straint, or  operate  with  the  least  efficacy  to  deter  from  the  crime,  which  it 
contemplates  ?  On  the  contrary  ;  will  not  the  law,  and  the  authority,  by 
which  it  was  enacted,  be  trampled  in  the  dust,  with  the  most  wanton  hcea- 
tiousness  and  contempt !  " 

23* 


270  MEMOIR    OP 

they  are  all  to  be  perfectly  holy  and  happy.  But  if  so, 
.  the  question  is  repeated,  why  should  not  the  law 
thunder  terror,  and  the  Gospel  proclaim  peace,  in  the 
ears  of  all  alike  ?  If,  indeed  there  might  be  some  lit- 
tle difference  in  the  language,  which  the  Bible  holds 
towards  the  righteous  and  the  wicked,  while  they  con- 
tinue in  the  present  state  ;  still  what  reason  can  be 
imagined,  why  their  condition  should  be  represented, 
as  so  extremely  different,  in  the  future  and  invisible 
world?  Why  should  Christ  show  us  Lazarus,  in 
Abraham's  bosom,  and  Dives  in  hell  ?  If  the  doctor's 
theory  be  just,  the  law  must  thunder  its  terror  in  the 
ears  of  Lazarus,  as  well  as  in  the  ears  of  Dives ;  and 
the  Gospel  proclaims  peace,  as  well  to  the  one  as  to 
the  other.  Why  then  did  not  Christ  show  us  both 
Lazarus  and  Dives,  at  once,  in  Abraham's  bosom  and 
in  hell  ?  Certainly,  upon  this  hypothesis,  there  must 
have  been  the  same  propriety,  in  placing  Dives  in 
Abraham's  bosom,  as  in  placing  Lazarus  there  ;  and 
the  same  propriety,  in  placing  Lazarus  in  hell,  as  in 
placing  Dives  there.  Upon  this  hypothesis,  moreover, 
in  the  place  of  saying  to  the  iinhelieving  Jews,  There 
shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth,  when  ye  shall 
see  Abraham^  and  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  and  all  the  prophets 
V  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  t/ou  yourselves  thrust  out ; 
Christ  might  with  equal  propriety  have  said  to  his  dis- 
ciples, There  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth, 
when  ye  shall  see  Cain,  and  Pharaoh,  and  Aliab,  and 
all  the  false  prophets  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  you 
yourselves  thrust  out.  Instead  of  representing  the 
wicked  inhabitants  of  the  old  world,  and  of  Sodom 
and  Gomorrah,  as  confined  in  hell,  reserved  in  chains 
of  darkness  unto  the  day  of  judgment  to  be  punished, 
and  set  forth  as  ensamples  to  those  that  after  should 
live  ungodly ;  St.  Peter,  and  St.  Jude,  might,  with 
equal  propriety,  have  represented  all  the  ancient  saints 
and  prophets  under  the  same  awful  circumstances.  In 
a  word,  upon  this  hypothesis,  the  passage  formerly 
quoted  from  the  third  chapter  of  Isaiah,  and  all  simi- 
lar promises  and  threatenings,  throughout  the  Bible, 
might  be  reversed,  and  yet  speak  a  language  as  agree- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  271 

able  to  trill li,  as  they  do  in  their  present  form.  '  Say 
ye  to  the  irirkcd^  it  shall  be  ircll  vilJi  him:  Wo,  to  tlie 
rig'litcoKS^  it  shall  be  ill  icith  liim!' 

But,  not  to  pursue  further  into  this  region  of  a])surd- 
ity  and  illusion,  it  may  be  suiiicient  to  remark,  that  the 
doetor's  whole  theory  rests  on  the  supposition,  that  all 
mankind  are  of  the  same  moral  eharaeter,  and  in  the 
same  moral  state.  Hence,  if  there  be  an  essential  dif- 
ference between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked,  and  if 
there  be  that  ditference  which  we  have  displayed,  in 
the  language,  w^hich  the  Scriptures  hold  tow^ards  these 
two  distinct  classes  of  mankind,  the  Huntington 
scheme  has  no  foundation  in  truth." 

Mr.  "Winchester  is  noticed,  several  times,  as  for  ex- 
ample, in  sermon  VI. 

"  It  is  argued  by  Mr.  Winchester  *  and  others,  that 
sin  cannot  be  an  infinite  evil,  because  it  is  the  act  of 
di  finite  agent.  But  merely  its  being  the  act  of  a  finite 
agent  determines  nothing,  in  regard  to  its  criminality. 
If,  as  Mr.  Winchester  asserts,  '  actions  must  take  their 
denomination  from  the  actors^  and  not  from  the  ob- 
jects,' it  w^ill  follow  inevitably,  that  all  the  actions  of 
the  same  actor  must  be  equally  criminal.  But  who 
will  admit  this  ?  Some  actions  of  the  same  finite 
agent  are  not  criminal  in  any  degree  ;  and  some,  which 
are  criminal,  are  much  less  so  than  others. 

Here  it  may  be  objected  :  If  every  sin  be  infinitely 
criminal,  how  can  one  sin  be  more  criminal  than  an- 
other? To  this  it  may  be  answered. — If  a  cord  be  in- 
finitely extended,  it  is  an  infinite  cord  ;  for  it  has  one 
infinite  dimension.  But  another  cord,  infmitely  ex- 
tended, may  be  much  thicker,  or  larger,  than  the  first, 
and  yet   be   only  an  infinite  cord.     So,  also,  one  sin 

*  Elhanan  Winchester  became  a  preacher  of  Universal  Salvation,  in  Phil- 
adelphia, in  17S1.  He  died  in  1797,  aged  45.  Hi.-?  system  was  much  the 
same  as  that  of  Chauncey.  He  held  the  doctrine  of"  Restoration,"  but  not 
upon  the  same  grounds  as  Murray,  who  came  to  the  Colonies,  in  1770,— 
preached  in  various  places,  and  died  in  Boston,  in  1S15. 


272  MEMOIR    OP 

may  be  infinite  in  one  sense,  and  that  such  a  sense  as 
to  deserve  an  endless  punishment :  and  yet  another  sin 
be  much  greater,  and  of  course,  deserve  a  punishment 
much  greater  in  defj^ree^  though  not  in  duration. 

The  fallacy  of  Mr.  Winchester's  reasoning,  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  infinity  of  sin,  lies  in  this, — he  contem- 
plates the  act<)  instead  of  the  criminaUt}j  of  the  act.  But 
the  act  is  one  thing,  and  the  criminaliti/  of  it  is  another. 
We  do  not  suppose,  that  the  act  itself  is,  in  strictness, 
infinite.  But,  we  say,  that,  as  it  is  an  offence  against 
a  God  of  infinite  worthiness  and  glory,  as  it  is  a  viola- 
tion of  infinite  obligations,  and  as  it  opposes  and  seeks 
to  destroy  infinite  good,  it  must  be  infinitely  evil  or 
criminal.  But  if  it  be  infinitely  criminal,  it  certainly 
deserves  a  punishment,  in  some  sense,  infinite.  Hence, 
as  the  sinner  cannot  endure  a  punishment,  in  any  sense 
infinite,  in  a  limited  period,  it  clearly  follows,  that  he 
ra^y  justly  be  punished  eternally. 

But  even  could  it  not  be  made  to  appear,  that  the 
sins  committed  deserve  an  endless  punishment,  there 
is  still  another  ground  on  which  the  justice  of  God,  in 
punishing  the  sinner  forever,  maybe  vindicated.  There 
can  be  no  injustice  in  suffering  the  sinner  to  go  on  in 
sin,  and  punishing  him  continually,  dLwd  forever^  as  he 
sins.  ****** 

Dr.  Chauncey,  *  Mr.  Winchester,  and  all  the  Univer- 

*  Rev.  Chas.  Chauncey,  D.  D.,  ordained  pastor  of  the  First  Church,  Boston, 
Oct.  25,  1727. — died,  Feb.  JO,  17^7,  aged  82;  ivho  inobabbj  did  jnore  than  any 
other  individual  to  transform  the  rtligioxis  character  of  Boston  and  the  sur- 
roundivg  region.^^ — Wisners  History,  ''■Old  Southp  p.  44. 

He  wrote  vigorously  against  the  Great  Aioakening.  '•  To  him,  among  all 
the  eminent  divines  of  New  England,  belongs  the  unhappy  pre-eminence  of 
having  been  the  first  to  lake  the  spirit  of  doubt  to  his  bosom.  He  was  said 
to  question  the  consciousness  of  the  soul  between  death  and  the  resurrec- 
tion ;  he  wrote  in  his  latter  days  against  the  eternity  of  retribution  ;  and  he 
nourished  that  sarcastic  hostility  to  the  sentiments  of  past  ages  and  the  deter- 
minations of  venerable  bodies  on  doctrine,  which,  like  a  light  troop  of  scouts, 
precede  the  main  assault,  and  explore  the  danger.  Deeply  significant  was 
his  passing  sneer  against  the  Honioousianity  of  the  Xicene  Council." — Pages 
from  the  Ecct.  His.  of  N.  E  dining  the  century  hetiveen  1740  and  1S40,  p. 25. 

In  a  letter  to  Dr.  Stiles,  May  6,  17GS,  he  refers  to  "a  finished  quarto  vol- 
ume," which  had  "  lain  by  for  some  years," — *'  written  with  too  much  free- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  273 

salists,  on  the  puvfi^atorial  schemo,  mako  a  pompous 
parade  of  laiic^nnge  to  set  forth  the  divine  mercy 
and  c^raee,  \vhieh,  accordiiiiT^  lo  their  doctrine,  is 
displayed  in  the  GospeL  Tliey  would  have  it  be- 
lieved, that  the  doctrine  of  the  Rcstoratiun  f^ives  a 
vastly  higher  conception  of  these  amiable  attributes 
of  the  divine  nature,  than  what  is  given  by  the  ortho- 
dox doctrine.  But  is  this  the  truth  of  the  fact?  This 
class  of  Universalists  hold,  that  some  of  mankind  will 
be  pardoned,  in  the  present  life,  and  at  death  pass  im- 
mediately into  a  state  of  perfect  blessedness  ;  and  that 
the  rest  dying  in  their  sins,  will  be  punished  in  the 
future  world,  according;  to  their  deserts.  IVe  also  be- 
lieve, that  some  of  mankind  will  be  pardoned,  and 
justified  in  this  life,  and  at  death  be  made  perfectly 
blessed ;  and  that  the  rest  dying  impenitent,  will  be 
punished,  in  the  future  world,  according^  to  their  deserts. 
Where,  then,  is  the  great  difference  between  the  two 
schemes  ?  It  lies,  fundamentally,  in  this.  We  believe 
sin  to  be  so  great  an  evil  as  to  deserve  an  endless  pun- 
ishment ;  but  thej/  hold  sin  to  be  so  small  an  evil,  as  to 
deserve  but  a  limited  punishment.  Where,  then,  is  the 
superior  display  of  mercy^  which  they  so  pompously 
proclaim  ?  Certainly,  there  is  not,  upon  their  scheme, 
a  greater  display  of  mercy  and  grace,  in  the  salvation 
of  those,  who  are  pardoned  and  justified,  in  this  life, 
than  there  is  upon  ours.  According  to  our  doctrine, 
those  who  are  pardoned  and  saved,  receive  the  pardon 
of  crimes  of  infinite  demerit,  and  are  saved  from  end- 

dom  to  admit  of  a  publication  in  this  country.  Some  of  my  friends  who  have 
seen  it,  liave  desired  I  would  send  it  home  [to  England?]  for  publication,  and 
to  have  it  printed  without  a  name-  I  question  whether  it  will  ever  see  the 
light  till  after  my  death,  and  I  am  not  yet  determined  whether  to  permit  its 
being  then  printed,  or  to  order  its  being  committed  to  the  flames.  It  is  a 
work  that  cost  me  much  thought  and  a  great  deal  of  hard  labor.  It  is  upon 
a  most  interesting  subject." — Mass.  His.  Coll.  1  series,  vol.  10,  p.  163. 

His  work,  "  The  Salvation  of  all  Men,"  &;c.,  was  published  anonymously  ; 
but  "  I  am  informed,''  says  Dr.  Edwards,  in  the  Preface  of  his  admirable 
Answer, — "  that  he  and  his  most  intimate  friends  have  made  no  secret  of 
the  author's  name." — Neiv  Haven,  June  29,  A.  D.,  17S9. 

Dr.  C.  wir'hed  Paradise  Lost  translated  into  prose,  that  he  might  under- 
stand it  '.—  Tiidor's  Life  of  Otis ^  p.  149. 


274  MEMOIR    OP 

less  misery  :  But  according  to  their  doctrine,  those  who 
are  pardoned  and  saved,  receive  the  pardon  of  crimes 
of  small  demerit,  and  are  saved  from  only  a  temporary 
punishment.  There  is,  therefore,  according  to  our 
doctrine,  an  infinitely  greater  display  of  grace  and 
mercy,  in  the  pardon  and  salvation  of  a  single  sinner^ 
than  there  would  be  upon  theirs,  in  the  pardon  and 
salvation  of  all  the  unnumbered  millions  of  the  human 
race.  For  the  grace  and  mercy  displayed  must  bear  a 
proportion  to  the  greatness  of  the  sins  pardoned,  and 
of  the  punishment  remitted.* 

Is  it,  then,  towards  those  who  die  impenitent,  that 
the  mercy  and  grace,  so  much  celebrated  by  the  Uni- 
versalists,  is  displayed  ?  Is  there  any  display  of  divine 
gi'ace  and  mercy,  in  forbearing  to  punish  them,  after 
they  have  suffered  according  to  their  deserts  ?  Reason 
and  common  sense  answer,  no.  Why,  then,  so  much 
pompous  and  pathetic  declamation  on  the  subject  of 
grace  and  mercy?  Why  not  talk  in  plain  and  honest 
language,  and  say,  '  Sin  is  but  a  small  evil,  a  mere 
^privation,''  '  an  act  of  a  ivorm,''  and  deserves  but  a  small 
punishment :  Therefore,  however  you  may  live  in  the 
world,  you  may  be  sure  of  perfect  happiness  hereafter, 
for  God  cannot,  injustice,  punish  you  eternally.'  This 
is  the  Universalian  Gospel,  stripped  of  its  tinsel  and 
glare,  and  exhibited  in  its  true  form.  But  what  is  there 
in  this  Gospel,  of  mercy  and  grace  ?  Are  not  mercy 
and  grace,  and  Christ,  totally  out  of  the  question,  and 
out  of  sight  ? 

True,  indeed,  we  are  told,  that  all  will  be  saved, 
through  the  merits  of  Christ.     Shall  we  look,  for  a  mo- 

*  "  Upon  the  Universalian  theory,  all  sins  of  the  whole  human  race  put 
together,  would  not  amount,  in  the  total  sum,  to  infinite;  neither  would  the 
punishment,  which  they  deserve,  even  allowing'  each  one  to  deserve  a  pun- 
ishment drawn  out  to  'ages  of  ages,'  be  equal  in  the  aggregate  whole  to  the 
endless  punishment  of  a  single  individual.  Hence,  according  to  their  doc- 
trine, were  all  the  millions  of  mankind  pardoned  and  saved,  without  any 
punishment,  there  would  not  be  so  much  forgiven  them,  as  according  to  our 
doctrine,  is  forgiven  a  single  redeemed  sinner.  Nay,  it  would  fall  infinitely 
ehort ;  for  between  finite  and  infinite,  there  is  always  an  infinite  dispropor- 
tion." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  275 

meat,  at  this?  Sinners,  wlit)  die  impenitent,  ;;wm.s7/c(Z 
according'  fo  their  deserts;  and  yet,  afterwards,  saved 
by  the  merits  of  the  crucified  Redeemer !  Is  it  here, 
then,  at  length,  that  the  '  unparalleled  <!;race  and  mercijj 
so  loudly  ])roelainied  by  Universalists,  is  to  be  found  ? 
Is  it,  in  demanding  the  blood  of  Innnanuel^  as  an  ad- 
ditional atonement,  after  punishinf^  sinners  as  mucli  as 
thcji  deserve^  that  the  divine  mercij  and  g;race  are  so 
illustriously  displayed  ?  If  this  be  mercy  and  grace, 
what,  then,  is  wanton  injustice  and  cruelty  ! 

On  the  whole,  the  tumid  and  impassioned  deelama- 
tion  of  Universalists,  on  the  subject  of  divine  mercy 
and  erace  is  all  a  mere  farce.  For  according:  to  their 
doctrine,  those  who  die  in  their  sins  will  not  be  re- 
leased from  punishment,  until  they  have  paid  the  last 
mite;  and  even  those  who  are  pardoned  in  this  life, 
and  admitted,  at  death,  to  immediate  happiness,  are 
saved,  not  from  the  vengeance  of  eternal  fire^  but  mere- 
ly from  a  punishment,  not  only  temporary  in  its  contin- 
uance, but  designed  as  a  '  merciful  and  salutary  disci- 
pline^^ for  the  good  of  the  sufferers.  In  all  this,  there 
is  not  the  least  appearance  of  divine  mercy  and  grace. 
While  the  doctrine  of  eternal  punishment  gives  the 
highest  possible  conception  of  the  infinite  mercy  and 
grace  of  Jehovah^  displayed  in  the  work  of  redemption, 
and  in  the  salvation  of  the  redeemed ;  every  scheme  of 
Universalism  presents  a  partial  and  false  exhibition  of 
the  divine  character,  and  totally  obscures  the  glory  of 
the  Gospel." 

The  closing  address,  and  appeals  to  different  classes 
of  hearers,  were  such  as  would  be  expected  from  the 
preacher  and  the  occasion.  In  the  "  Appendix  "  to  the 
Sermons,  as  published,  there  is  "  a  concise  view  of  the 
more  noticeable  Scripture  marks,  by  which  false  teach- 
ers are  distinguished,"  in  order  that  it  might  be  "  de- 
termined, correctly,  to  whom  the  character  of  false 
teacher  or  deceiver  belongs," — "  the  preachers  of  eternal 
pu7iishme)itj^  or  those  who  say, —  Ye  shall  not  surely 


276  MEMOIR    OF 

die  !  There  is  also  a  comparison  of  the  doctrines  of 
Deists  and  Universalists,  from  which  it  appears  con- 
clusively, that  the  latter  "  build  on  a  foundation,  com- 
pletely Deistical  ;  and  for  them  to  talk  of  mercy, 
grace,  or  Christ,  is  idle,  preposterous,  illusive." 

"  Deists  have  told  us,  long  ago,  that  sin  does  not  de- 
serve an  endless  punishment ;  that  a  God  of  infinite 
goodness  cannot  punish  eternally ;  and  that  all  man- 
kind must  be  finally  happy.  Is  not  this  the  Universa- 
lian  doctrine  ? 

Deists  have  told  us,  long  ago,  that  men  will  be  treat- 
ed according  to  their  deserts ;  that  virtue  will  be  re- 
warded and  vice  will  be  punished.  Universalists  tell 
us  the  same.  Deists,  however,  have  not  been  agreed 
among  themselves,  respecting  the  punishment  of  sin. 
Some  of  them  have  supposed,  that  the  wicked  receive 
all  their  punishment  as  they  go  along;  others  have 
supposed  there  may  be  some  punishment  after  death : 
But  the  greater  part  of  them  have  left  this  matter  in  a 
state  of  obscurity.  It  is  thus  also  with  Universalists. 
Some  of  them  hold,  that  sinners  receive  all  their  pun- 
ishment as  they  pass  along  through  life  ;  others  sup- 
pose that  there  will  be  a  state  of  punishment  in  the 
future  world ;  but  most  of  them  appear  to  be  in  a  state 
of  doubt  and  uncertainty,  and  will  not  answer  the 
plain  question,  whether  they  believe  in  any  punish- 
ment after  death,  or  not. 

Deists  have,  long  ago,  denied  and  derided  the  power 
of  godliness,  or  experimental  religion,  as  delusion,  su- 
perstition, and  fanaticism ;  and  have  rejected  and 
jeered  the  idea,  that  there  is  any  essential  difference 
between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked,  or,  that  there 
are  any  in  the  world,  whom  God  acknowledges  and 
loves,  as  his  peculiar  people.  Do  not  Universalists  do 
the  same  ? 

Deists  have,  long  ago,  told  us,  that  it  is  of  little  or 
no  consequence,  what  a  man's  religion,  or  religious 
sentiments   be,  provided   he   be  sincere  in  his   way. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  277 

Universalists,  notwithstanding  all  their  zeal  for  prose- 
lyting, tell  us  the  same. 

Deists  deny  the  divine  authority  of  the  Scripture, 
principally,  it  is  believed,  because  they  suj)pose  the 
Scriptures  to  teach  the  doctrine  of  eternal  punishment, 
and  the  necessity  of  a  holy  life,  in  order  to  a  happy  im- 
mortality. Universalists  profess,  indeed,  to  believe  in 
revelation.  They  deny,  however,  many  of  them,  if 
not  all,  that  the  whole  Bible  is  the  word  of  God ;  and, 
like  the  Deists,  delight  in  representing  the  Scripture, 
as  being,  in  some  parts  of  it,  contradictory,  frivolous, 
and  absurd.  It  is  customary  with  them  to  draw  into 
question  the  divine  authority  of  any  particular  text, 
which  lies  as  an  inseparable  obstruction  to  their  scheme; 
and  some  of  them  honestly  declare,  that  if  they  believed 
the  Bible  does  not  teach  the  doctrine  of  universal  sal- 
vation, they  would  not  receive  it  as  a  revelation  from 
God. 

The  author  has  been  constrained  to  make  these  re- 
marks, by  a  sense  of  justice  to  the  cause  of  truth.  As 
they  are  made  in  the  spirit  of  seriousness  and  candor ; 
he  earnestly  entreats  for  them  a  serious  and  candid 
consideration." 

These  Sermons  of  Dr.  Worcester,  on  Future  Pun- 
ishment, gave  very  great  satisfaction  to  his  friends, 
and  extended  his  reputation,  as  an  able  theologian  and 
powerful  wTiter.  They  established  many  minds,  which 
had  been  unsettled,  and  greatly  assisted  him  in  his 
private  parochial  labors.*  Meanwhile,  his  opposers 
wxre  not  any  less  active  or  unscrupulous  than  before, 
in  efforts  and  expedients  to  compel  him  to  resign  his 
charge.  The  consequent  state  of  things,  it  is  not  easy 
to  describe,  without  a  citation  of  documents,  and  those 
details,  in  which  general  readers  have  but  little  interest. 

*  Those  who  should  now  read  them  carefully,  would  find  that  the  TJni- 
versalism  which  he  withstood  in  1S00--1,  has  changed  but  little ;  although 
that  form  which  now  prevails  most,  has  beea  erroneously  represented,  as 
having  no  earlier  date  than  ISlS. 

24 


278  MEMOIR    OF 

But  as  a  part  of  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  New 
England,  the  "  Fitchburg  Controversy  "  should  not 
soon  be  forgotten.  It  is  memorable,  as  disclosing  in 
its  progress  the  first  organized  scheme  in  Massachusetts^ 
to  subject  the  church  to  the  will  of  the  toivn,  or  parish,  in 
all  matters  relating  to  the  settlement  and  dismission  of 
pastors. 

The  alleged  wi'ongs  of  several  excommunicated  per- 
sons, were  made  the  pretext  by  themselves  and  others, 
for  a  recourse  to  their  legal  rights  as  citizens.  And  if 
the  excommunicated  could  not  regain  their  church 
standing,  by  ecclesiastical  means,  it  appears,  unhappily, 
to  have  been  resolved,  that,  by  the  votes  of  the  town, 
the  pastor  should  be  made  a  sacrifice  to  their  resent' 
ments,  under  the  name  of  their  rights. 

The  new  form  of  covenant  which  had  been  adopted, 
was  not  in  the  least  designed  to  abridge  the  privileges 
of  any  member  of  the  church  ;  and  no  offending  mem- 
ber was  made  a  subject  of  discipline,  on  account  of 
any  specification,  by  which  the  new  covenant  differed 
from  the  old.     The  new  covenant  was  this : 

"  You do   now  in  the  presence  of  God, 

angels,  and  men,  avouch  the  Lord  Jehovah,  Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  Ghost  to  be  your  God  ;  the  supreme  object 
of  your  soul,  and  your  chosen  portion  forever.  You 
cordially  acknowledge  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  all  his 
mediatorial  offices,  prophet,  priest  and  king,  as  your 
only  Savior  and  final  Judge :  And  choose  the  Holy  Ghost 
as  your  Sanctifier,  Comforter,  and  Guide.  You  humbly 
and  cheerfully  devote  your  whole  self,  soul  and  body 
to  God  in  the  everlasting  covenant  of  grace;  consecrate 
all  your  powers  and  faculties  to  his  service  and  glory  ; 
and  promise  through  the  help  of  divine  grace,  with- 
out which  you  can  do  nothing,  that  you  will  give 
diligent  heed  to  his  word  and  ordinances,  and  to  the 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  279 

motions  of  his  Spirit;  that  you  will  scc'k,  in  all  things, 
the  honor  of  his  name  and  the  interest  of  his  kingdom  ; 
and  that  heneeforth,  denying  all  ungodliness  and  every 
worldly  lust,  you  will  live  soberly,  righteously  and 
godlily,  even  till  death.  And  you  join  yourself  cordi- 
ally to  this  as  a  true  church  of  Christ;  unreservedly 
engaging  to  submit  to  its  discipline,  so  far  as  comfort- 
able to  the  rules  of  the  gospel,  and  solemnly  covenant- 
ing to  strive,  as  much  as  in  you  lies,  for  its  gospel 
peace,  edification,  and  purity;  and  to  walk  with  its 
members,  in  all  memberlike  love,  faithfulness,  watch- 
fulness, circumspection,  meekness,  and  sobriety." 


"  It  was  intended,  indeed,  that  the  new  form  should 
be  used  in  the  future  admission  of  members.  Still,  it 
was  not  considered  as  an  absolutely  indispensable 
term  of  admission,  that  the  candidate  should  consent 
to  every  article  in  the  doctrine  of  faith.  If  any  person, 
offering  himself  as  a  candidate  for  the  communion  of 
the  church,  should  have  his  doubts,  respecting  any 
article  of  our  faith,  he  would  not  be,  immediately^  ad- 
mitted ;  but,  if  there  were  nothing  beside,  in  the  way 
of  his  immediate  admission,  he  would  be  requested  to 
stand,  for  a  season,  on  probation.  In  the  mean  time,  it 
would  be  considered  as  the  duty  of  the  brethren,  and  of 
the  pastor  especially,  to  endeavor,  by  all  proper  means, 
to  remove  his  doubts,  and  to  enlighten  him  more 
fully  into  the  doctrine  of  Christ.  But,  if  after  stand- 
ing for  a  suitable  time,  on  this  probationary  footing,  it 
should  appear,  that  the  difficulties  in  his  mind,  though 
not  fully  obviated,  do  not  result  from  enmity  to  the 
truth,  but  from  some  other  cause,  and  that  he  is  really 
a  subject  of  the  true  christian  temper,  the  article,  in 
question,  would  be  dispensed  with,  in  his  favor,  and 
he  admitted  accordinsr  to  his  desire :  For  it  ivas  never 
designed  to  exclude  any  from  our  communion^  icho  ap- 
pear to  he  the  real  subjects  of  experimental  religion. 
This  is  with  us  a  principle,  in  regard  to  the  admission 
of  members  ;   and  this  liberal  principle  was  occasion- 


280  MEMOIR    OF 

ally  explained,  while  the  articles  of  faith  were  under 
consideration,  and  after  they  were  adopted."  * 

All  explanations  and  efforts  of  conciliation  were 
fruitless,  in  respect  to  some  members.  During  the 
winter  next  succeeding  the  introduction  of  the  new 
forms  of  admission  to  the  Church,  the  opposing  party 
gained  fast  in  numbers  and  influence,  and  were  quite 
sanguine  of  success  in  abrogating  what  had  been  done. 
But  their  hopes  withered  in  the  spring,  just  at  the 
time,  when  the  church  was  visited  with  a  refreshing 
from  on  high. 

"  In  this  work  of  grace,  the  Clinrch  shared  its  full 
proportion.  Several  of  the  members,  impressed  with  a 
solemn  conviction,  that  they  had  only  a  name  to  live, 
and  that,  Avhen  they  joined  the  church,  they  were  to- 
tally unacquainted  with  the  power  of  religion,  were  led 
to  inquire,  with  deep  anxiety.  What  they  should  do  to 
be  saved.  These,  the  most  of  them  at  least,  obtained, 
afterwards,  a  comfortable  hope.  Others  of  the  church, 
who  had  been  for  a  length  of  time,  in  a  cold  or  luke- 
warm state,  were  awakened  and  enlivened  ;  and  receiv- 
ed, as  we  trust,  fresh  anointings  of  the  Spirit  of  grace. 

By  this  gracious  work  of  God,  the  church,  as  might 
well  be  expected,  was  greatly  strengthened  and  con- 
firmed. Not  only  ^vere  there  considerable  accessions 
of  new  members  ;  but  a  large  proportion  of  those,  for- 
merly in  the  church,  who  had  appeared  in  the  opposing 
minority,  were  brought  over,  one  after  another,  and 
became  decided  and  firm  supporters  of  the  new  order 
of  things.  We  wish  not  to  introduce  any  invidious 
remarks,  but  it  is   a  truth,   which  we   feel   ourselves 

*  Slatement  by  Dr.  Worcester,  in  his  pamphlet,  entitled, — "  Facts  and 
Documents,  exhibiting- a  Summary  View  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Affairs,  lately 
transacted  in  Fitchburg-;  together  with  some  Strictures  on  the  Result  of  a 
late  Party  Council,  in  said  town,  and  General  Observations  ;  the  whole 
designed  to  vindicate  the  rights  of  the  churches,  and  to  illustrate  the  subject 
and   enforce   the   importance  of  Christian   Discipline,  (Sec,  January  1&Q2." 

pp.  lis. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  281 

bonnd  to  doclarc,  tliat,  so  far  as  we  know,  not  a  sinsfle 
iml'u'ichial  of  those,  irhcf/tcr  in  the  church  or  07it  of  it, 
trho  hare  been  sid)jects  of  the  relii^ious  airakenin<^,  or 
have  appeared  in  any  measure  to  favor  the  work,  has 
continued  in  opposition  to  the  new  forms. 

Still,  however,  the  Universa/ists,  and  a  few  others 
under  their  influence,  continued  in  opposition  ;  and  in 
proportion  as  their  strength  in  the  church  decreased, 
their  enmity  appeared  to  increase.  The//  alloived  them- 
selves to  speak  lig'htlij  and  reproachfidJi/  of  the  reli^'ions 
aicakeninfr,  and  of  the  known  subjects  of  it;  and  in  but 
too  many  instances  and  ways,  used  their  endeavors  to 
check  and  suppress  a  work,  by  which  the  church  was 
continually  gaining  strength.  Among  other  means, 
used  for  this  obvious  purpose,  Universalian  teachers 
were  introduced  and  encouraged  ;  and  great  exertions 
were  made  to  divert  the  attention  of  the  people  from 
things  of  a  more  solemn  and  impressive  import,  and  to 
srain  their  ears  to  the  delusive  sons:  of  Universalism, 
And  so  gi-eat  was  the  success,  which  for  a  while  at- 
tended these  efforts,  that  the  more  sanguine  in  the 
cause,  did  not  hesitate  to  boast,  at  one  period,  that 
more  than  half  the  people  in  this  town  were  Univer- 
salists  ;  and  the  friends  of  truth  and  religion  were  not 
without  serious  apprehensions,  that  this  boasting  was 
but  too  solidly  founded. 

Meanwhile,  discontents  of  different  kinds,  and  on 
various  accounts,  prevailed  in  this  place.  Some  were 
disaffected  with  what  had  been  done  to  promote  the 
better  order  and  discipline  of  the  church;  some  with 
the  public  ministry  of  the  pastor;  and  these  discontents 
appeared  to  be  very  much  inflamed,  by  the  serious  atten- 
tion to  religion  among-  us.  It  is  particularly  to  be 
noticed,  also,  that  old  animosities  and  prejudices, 
originally  engendered  by  long  and  ardent  contests, 
respecting  a  parish  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town, 
and  respecting  the  placing  of  a  new  meeting-house, 
continued  to  operate;  and  were  occasionally  fomented 
and  blown  into  a  flame,  by  passing  occurrences. 
Owing  to  these  several  causes,  the  town  was  most 

24* 


282  MEMOIR    OF 

•unhappily  split  into  parties,  and  was,  from  time  to 
time,  in  a  very  tumultuous  and  distracted  state." 

Early  in  the  year  1800,  the  brethren  of  the  Church 
proceeded  with  all  due  tenderness,  and  in  a  strictly 
Congregational  and  Scriptural  manner,  to  deal  with 
five  or  six  members,  who  had  set  the  covenant,  the 
church,  and  the  pastor,  at  defiance ;  and  whose  several 
cases  of  disciplinable  offence,  would  now  be  acknowl- 
edged in  any  evangelical  church,  to  be  most  palpable, 
if  not  flagrant.  They  could  here  be  particularly  stated. 
Those  who  were  subjected  to  discipline,  were,  in  the 
course  of  a  few  months  or  a  year,  cut  off  or  suspended. 
A  part  of  them  ivere  already  members  of  the  "  Fitch- 
burg  Universal  Christian  Society,"  which  embraced 
all  descriptions  of  disaffected  persons,  claiming,  by  a 
vote  of  the  town,  an  exemption  from  ministerial  taxes. 

April  17,  1801,  it  was  voted  by  the  Church,  "  That 
it  be  henceforth  a  standing  order  of  the  Church,  that 
no  known  Universalist  shall  be  admitted  to  the  privi- 
lege of  occasionally  communing  with  us,  in  the  holy 
ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper."  Every  action  of  this 
kind  was  a  new  occasion  of  excitement.  The  cry  of 
Hopkins ianism,  bigotry,  intolerance,  oppression,  waxed 
louder  and  louder.  Even  the  very  children  in  some 
families  became  so  accustomed  to  hear  the  word 
"  HopkinsiaUj^  pronounced  in  tones  of  bitter  reproach 
and  reviling,  that  they  would  employ  it  in  their  petty 
strifes  and  bickerings,  as  one  of  the  very  worst  of  Aarc? 
names  to  characterize  an  object  of  their  resentment.* 

The  Records  of  the  Church,  for  the  vear  1801, 
contain    some   letters    of  admonition  from  the  pen  of 

*  For  some  year.s  after  this  time,  it  was  common  among  the  school-boys, 
to  say — Yu7(.  are  a  Ilopiiiisian ;  meaning:  the  same,  as,  yoic  are  a  contemptible 
feUoxv. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  283 

the  pastor,  wliich  arc   eminently  Christian    and  apos- 
tolical. 

All  manner  of  representations  and  misrej)resenta- 
tions  went  forth,  and  indefatigable  means  were  em- 
ployed, to  inflame  the  daily  increasing  opposition. 
A  considerable  number  of  persons  in  the  vicinity,  were 
ready  to  sympathize  with  the  opposers  of  the  pastor  of 
Fitchburg  ;  while  some,  who  were  themselves  members 
of  Arminian  churches,  frequently  went  to  hear  him,  on 
the  Sabbath,  and  at  other  times, — so  refreshing  to 
their  hearts  were  his  ministrations  in  the  Lord. 

The  dilHculties  were  aggravated  by  the  conduct  of 
the  people,  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town.  These, 
having  long  wished  to  be  united  with  others  "in  the 
contiguous  corners  of  Westminister,  Ashburnham,  and 
Ashby,"  by  "incorporation  as  a  distinct  town,  or  at 
least  a  distinct  parish,"  had  met  with  opposition  from 
the  town  ;  and  had  become  greatly  incensed.  INIany 
came  forward  with  a  request  for  "  the  use  of  the  meet- 
ing-house, a  part  of  the  time,  proportioned  to  their 
taxes."  This  movement  was  popular  with  "  the  mal- 
contents of  all  classes."  Hence  their  request  was 
ultimately  granted.  The  use  of  the  house  was 
apportioned  among  four  Societies,  viz :  The  petitioners, 
the  Baptist  Society,  the  "  Fitchburg  Universal  Chris- 
tian Society,"  and  the  regular  Congregational  Society. 

The    apportionment  to   this  last   was  but   seventeen 

Sabbaths. 

"  Things  were,  by  this  time,  in  a  most  entangled 
and  tumultuous  state  ;  and  exhibited  to  the  serious  and 
reflecting  mind  the  most  melancholy  prospect.  Revo- 
lution succeeded  revolution,  in  the  most  rapid  succes- 
sion ;  and  what  would  eventually  be  the  issue,  was 
beyond  human  calculation.     At  length,    after  many 


284  MEMOIR    OP 

things,  done  and  undone,  the  town,  by  a  major  vote,* 
declared  it  to  be  their  mind,  that  a  dissolution  of  their 
contract,  with  the  pastor,  would  be  for  the  peace  and 
happiness  of  the  town.  Of  this  vote  the  pastor  re- 
ceived a  formal  notification,  accompanied  with  a  re- 
quest for  an  answer.  After  some  time  taken  for  con- 
sideration and  advice,  the  pastor  laid  the  matter  before 
the  church  ;  and,  in  a  formal  manner  requested  the 
church  to  join  him,  in  measures  for  a  regular  dismis- 
sion. The  church,  unwilling  that  the  pastor  should 
leave  them,  were  exceeding  reluctant  to  do  any  thing, 
which  looked  towards  his  dismission,  even  so  much  as 
to  refer  the  matter  to  a  council,  At  length,  however, 
the  pastor  obtained  the  consent  of  the  church,  that  he 
should  return  the  following  answer  to  the  town. 

Friends  and  Fellow-citizens, 

At  the  hands  of  a  committee,  appointed  for  the  pur- 
pose, I  received,  not  long  since,  the  copy  of  a  vote, 
stated  to  have  been  passed  at  a  legal  meeting  of  the 
town  of  Fitchburg,  on  Monday,  6th  ultimo ;  and  pur- 
porting, that  the  inhabitants  of  said  town  think  it 
w^ould  be  for  their  peace  and  happiness,  to  dissolve  the 
contract  with  me  as  their  minister,  in  the  manner 
specified  in  the  said  contract.  As  the  matter  was  thus 
laid  before  me,  I  have  attended  to  it,  as  I  trust,  with  a 
deliberation,  seriousness,  and  candor,  suited  in  some 
measure  to  its  solemnity  and  moment.  I  have,  also, 
laid  it  before  the  church ;  and,  notwithstanding  their 
reluctance  and  deep  regret,  have,  at  length,  obtained 
their  consent  to  the  following  proposals,  which  I  now 
beg  leave  to  submit. 

1.  A  Council,  consisting  of  five  churches,  and  mu- 
tually chosen,  in  the  regular  ecclesiastical  manner,  shall 
be  called,  as  soon  as  convenient,  to  assist  with  their 
advice  ;  and  co-operate,  if  they  shall  judge  it  suitable, 
in  my  regular  dismission  :  The  expense  of  the 
Council  to  be  defrayed  by  the  town,  as  in  such  cases 
is  usual. 

*  "  People,  professedly  of  other  denominations,  and  exempted,  by  certifi- 
cate, f^pin  taxes  to  ihe  Congre^iional  ministry,  were  allowed  to  vote  on 
this  occasiou." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


285 


2.  Ifthotown  have  any  allcij^atioiis  to  lay  before 
the  Council  against  me,  they  shall  fairly  state  tliein  to 
me,  in  writing,  at  least  ten  days  ])ri()r  to  the  sitting  of 
the  Council;  and  if  no  alh'gations  h(;  thus  stated,  it 
shall  be  understood,  that  the  town  have  nothing,  par- 
ticularly injurious  to  my  ministerial  or  christian  charac- 
ter to  allege  against  me. 

3.  The  civil  contract,  between  the  town  and  me,  as 
their  minister,  shall  remain  in  force,  until  the  })astoral 
relation  be  regularly  dissolved. 

If  the  town  agree  to  these  proposals,  I  shall  hold 
myself  bound  to  abide  by  them,  and  shall  govern  my- 
self accordingly. 

Men  and  Brethren, 

I  cannot  persuade  myself  to  conclude  this  paper, 
without  expressing  to  you  the  deep  concern,  with 
which  I  have  observed  the  operations  and  effects  of  the 
spirit  of  party,  contention,  and  disorder  in  this  place ; 
a  spirit,  which,  though  it  may  have  taken  a  different 
direction  since,  had,  however,  been  prevalent,  and  in 
awful  progress,  long  before  I  came  among  you ;  and 
which,  if  not  suppressed  or  restrained,  is  likely  to  prove 
the  ruin  of  this  town.  For  myself,  I  think  I  have  had, 
and  still  have,  an  ardent  desire  for  your  highest  good; 
"  seeking'  not  yoiirs^  but  you^  and  vnUing'  to  spend  and  be 
spent  for  you^  fJioKgh  f/ie  more  abiindautly  I  might  love 
you.,  the  less  I  might  be  lovedP  But,  if  in  any  measure 
or  respect,  I  have  been  the  blameable  cause  of  the  pres- 
ent unhappy  state  of  things  among  you,  I  sincerely 
wish  I  may  be  convinced  of  it,  and  deeply  humbled 
before  the  all-seeing  God  for  it.  And  I  most  earnestly 
and  affectionately  recommend  it  to  all,  seriously  to 
consider  the  ])art,  which  they  have  taken,  in  promoting 
the  present  difficulties,  and  the  motives,  by  which  they 
have  been  actuated.  The  dismission  of  a  minister  is 
certainly  a  most  solemn  affair ;  and  every  thing  relative 
to  it,  ought  always  to  be  conducted  wdth  the  greatest 
deliberation,  regularity,  and  seriousness.  Tumult  and 
disorder  but  illy  become  transactions  of  this  solemn 
nature,  and  momentous  consequence.    Let  us  all,  then, 


286  MEMOIR    OF 

bear  in  remembrance,  that  we  act  under  the  eye  of 
that  God,  whose  honor  is  deeply  concerned,  and  before 
whose  awful,  and  enlightened  tribunal,  we  are  soon  to 
be  summoned  together  for  final  audit,  and  everlasting 
retribution.  Samuel   Worcester. 

Fitchburg-,  Mcnj  23,  1801." 

"  To  these  proposals  the  town  acceded  ;  and  a  Coun- 
cil, mutually  chosen  by  the  pastor  and  church,  was 
accordingly  called.     The  following  was  their  result : 

Although  a  spirit  of  division  and  separation  appears 
to  have  been  most  unhappily  prevalent,  among  the 
people  of  Fitchburg,  in  consequence  of  which  the  situ- 
ation of  their  reverend  pastor  is  rendered  very  uncom- 
fortable, and  the  prospects  of  his  usefulness  among 
them  are  greatly  impaired  ;  yet,  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  continuing,  and  even  increasing,  attachment 
of  the  church  to  Mr.  Worcester,  the  union  which  sub- 
sists among  those,  who  have  not  separated  themselves 
to  other  denominations,  and  the  cheerful  readiness  of 
Mr.  Worcester's  friends,  expressed  by  the  committee 
of  the  church,  to  submit  to  the  increased  burden  of  his 
support ;  we  cannot  conceive,  that  it  will  be  promo- 
tive of  the  interests  of  religion  in  general,  or  the  wel- 
fare of  this  particular  society,  that  Mr.  Worcester's 
patoral  relation  to  them  should  be  dissolved  :  and  we 
feel  ourselves  bound  to  recommend  to  Mr.  Worcester, 
that  he  submit  still  longer  to  the  inconveniencies  of 
his  situation  ;  trusting  in  that  God,  who  can  change 
our  darkest  prospects,  and  increase  the  consolations  of 
his  suffering  servants,  in  proportion  to  their  trials. 

We  have  not  been  inattentive  to  the  fair  prospects, 
which  invite  Mr.  Worcester's  removal,  and  the  sacri- 
fice which  he  is  called  to  make,  by  a  compliance  with 
this  result ;  yet,  believing  that  the  greatest  good,  in 
his  view,  is  the  interests  of  religion,  we  doubt  not  his 
ready  compliance  with  what  we  now  unitedly  recom- 
mend to  him,  as  the  path  of  duty. 

We  are  not  insensible,  that  this  result  is  very  differ- 
ent from  the  expectations  of  many ;  but  we  persuade 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  287 

ourselves  the  propriety  of  it  will  be  obvious  to  those, 
who  take  a  serious  view  of  the  resjx'cfable  numbers 
of  tills  ehureh,  warmly  attaehed  to  Mr.  Worcester, 
and  llie  eonsidenible  majority  of  those,  yet  forming 
the  Congregational  Society  in  this  place,  who  secrn 
desirous  of  his  continuance  with  them  :  it  b(;ing  evi- 
dent from  written  statements,  that,  from  the  ruunber  of 
one  hundred  and  eighty-five  voters,  there  are  seventy, 
who  have  expressly,  and  by  name,  manifested  a  desire 
that  Mr.  Worcester  should  tarry  with  them  ;  and  that 
lifty-two  have  withdrawn  under  a  compact  for  the  sup- 
port of  universal  teachers;  leaving  a  remainder  of 
sixty-three,  some  of  whom  are  of  diflerent  denomina- 
tions, and  the  remainder,  at  least  many  of  them,  have 
not  expressed  their  sentiments. 

While  we  cannot  but  express  our  tender  sympathy 
with  the   reverend  Pastor  of  this  church,  under  the 
weight  of  so  formidable,  and  as  we   think,  so  unrea- 
sonable  and  unchristian,  an   opposition,  as   exists  in 
this  place,  to  him  and  his  ministry ;  we  are  extremely 
happy  to  find,  that  he  is  exonerated,  even  by  the  united 
testimony  of  his  opposers,  from  all  imputations  of  irre- 
ligious  and   immoral  conduct;  that  his   discharge  of 
the  duties  of  the  christian  ministry  has  been  apparent- 
ly so  faithful  and  so  faultless  ;  and  that,  while  he  has 
been  officially  set  for  the  defence  of  the  Gospel,  he  has 
contended  so  earnestly,  and,  for  aught  that  appears  to 
the  contrary,  so  discreetly,  for  the  faith  once  delivered 
to  the  saints.     We  most  earnestly  supplicate   for  him 
the   anointings  of  divine   grace,    the    consolations  of 
habitual  communion  with  his  ever-present  Redeemer, 
such  acceptance  with  the  people  of  this  town,  as  wdll 
render   his   services  extensively  useful,  and   a  happy 
preparation  for  a  triumphant  exchange  of  the  afilic- 
tions  of  this  state  of  trial,  for  the  joys  of  a  better  world. 
We  are   confident,  that  he  w^ill   not  shrink  from  the 
painful  labors,  or  be  removed  from  the  firm  and  inllex- 
ible  defence,  of  "the  glorious  Gospel  of  Christ,  to  what- 
ever confiicts  he  may  be  reduced,  in  this  day  of  grow- 
ing scepticism  and  infidelity  ;  and  that   he  will   con- 
tinue stedfast,  immoveable,   always  abounding  in  the 


288  MEMOIR    OF 

work  of  the  Lord,  under  the  strong  assurance,  that  his 
labors  shall  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 

The  Council  are  exceedingly  happy  to  find  this 
church,  as  a  branch  of  the  kingdom  of  our  dear  Lord, 
so  apparently  established  in  the  faith  ;  so  united,  so 
affectionate,  and  so  faithful,  in  holding  fast  the  word 
of  truth,  and  maintaining  the  all  important  concern  of 
the  disciplinary  purity  of  Christ's  house.  We  con- 
gratulate them  on  the  pleasing  symptoms  of  the  pre- 
sence of  God  with  them,  by  which  they  are  influenced 
to  arise  and  trim  their  lamps,  and  to  stand,  as  a  part 
of  the  hosts  of  the  Lord,  in  opposition  to  that  flood  of 
demoralization  and  error,  which  threatens  to  inundate 
the  land.  We  exhort  them  to  put  on  bowels  of  mer- 
cies towards  those,  whose  efforts  are  directed,  or  seem 
to  be  directed,  to  weaken  their  christian  hopes,  and  to 
betray  them  into  a  dereliction  of  gospel  truth  and 
gospel  zeal ;  to  be  meek  and  inoffensive  in  all  their 
ways  ;  and  to  glorify  God,  in  their  bodies  and  in  their 
spirits,  which  are  his. 

As  the  Council  cannot  discern  any  justifiable  rea- 
son, why  so  large  a  portion  of  the  people  of  this  town 
should  become  disaffected  to  the  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Worcester;  as  nothingwhatever  is  alleged  against 
his  personal  character  or  ministerial  respectability ;  as 
it  is  not  made  evident  that  the  current  of  his  preach- 
ing is  the  exhibition  of  any  other  doctrines  than  those, 
which  he  was  understood  to  hold,  at  the  time  of  his 
ordination,  and  which  are  established  in  the  platform 
of  the  generality  of  the  New  England  churches,  and 
the  formulas  of  most  protestant  churches  in  America 
and  Europe  ;  we  beg  of  them  seriously  to  deliberate, 
whether  they  can  justify  their  alienation,  under  the 
eye  of  the  Sovereign  of  the  world ;  whether  it  really 
promises  to  issue  in  the  harmony  and  happiness  of  the 
town — in  the  advancement  of  true  reliirion  here,  or 
the  augmentation  of  any  well  formed  hopes  of  future 

glory- 
Though  it  is  not  the  province  of  the  Council  to  de- 
termine  any  legal   questions,  respecting  any  property, 
which  is  deemed  common,  and  they  have  no  inclina- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  289 

tion  to  intorforo  with  any  of  the  civil  or  rcliii^ions  rights 
of  any  iiulividnals  or  bodies;  yet  they  b('<^  leave  to 
suggc^st,  that  they  are  of  0])iiiion,  that  tin;  church 
oiifi^ht  not  to  be  denied  those  accommodations  for  the 
celebration  of  such  ordinary  acts  of  worsliip  and  duty, 
as  have  been  considered  as  essential  to  its  existence 
and  pros])erity  from  its  first  foundation.  The  Council 
cannot  give  any  countenance  to  those  irregular  and 
equivocal  measures,  which  appear  to  have  been  adopt- 
ed to  strip  the  church  of  its  privileges  in  this  respect, 
and  to  take  from  them  a  pastor,  so  apparently  dear  to 
them.  We  hope  that  so  unhappy  a  precedent  will 
not  be  drawn  into  general  indulgence.  We  beg  for 
the  best  prosperity  of  this  church  and  town  ;  and 
commend  you,  brethren  and  friends,  to  God  and  the 
word  of  his  grace,  which  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and 
to  give  you  an  inheritance,  among  all  them  that  are 
sanctified. 

Voted,  unanimously ;  except  that  one  member  of  the 
Council  hesitated  with  respect  to  the  expediency  of 
IVIr.  Worcester's  continuance  in  this  place. 

John  Cushing,  Moderator. 
A  true  copy — Attest, 

Seth  Pays  on,  Scribed 

"  Of  this  result,  though  different  from  his  previous 
expectations  and  wishes,  the  pastor  expressed  his  ac- 
ceptance. It  was,  also,  in  a  formal  manner,  accepted 
by  the  church,  and  by  the  town.  In  the  town,  how- 
ever, many  were  dissatisfied  ;  and  none  perhaps  more 
so,  than  those,  ivho  had  been  excommunicated  from  the 
church,  and  ivhose  cases  had  been  summarily  stated  ta 
the  Counciiy* 

Inflammatory  reports  went  abroad,  and  were  "  cir- 
culated with  the  greatest  industry  and  assurance,"^^  as 

*  The  Council  consisted  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Cushing,  of  Ashburnhara,  Lee, 
of  Royalston,  Payson,  of  Rindge,  Austin,  of  Worcester,  and  Hill,  of  Mason, — 
with  the  delegates  of  their  respective  churches.  It  was  convened,  Juna 
22,  l&Ol. 

25 


290  MEMOIR    OF 

if  the  church  in  Fitchburg  had  been  guilty  of  the 
most  wanton  oppression  and  tyranny,  in  the  discipline 
by  which  some  of  the  members  had  been  suspended 
or  excommunicated. 

It  was  said  of  these  last,  that  they  "  were  cut  off, 
because  they  ivould  not  subscribe  to  the  new  forms  of  the 
church.  Than  this  report  nothing  could  be  more  false 
and  calumnious.  We  solemnly  aver,  that  we  never 
had  the  least  inclination  to  discipline  any  of  our  breth- 
ren, or  to  abridge  them  of  their  church  privileges,  in 
the  least  iota,  on  account  of  their  dissenting  from  us, 
in  regard  to  the  new  forms.  There  are  three  or  four 
in  the  church  now,  who  have  never  subscribed  or  con- 
sented to  our  revised  form  of  covenant  and  articles  of 
faith  ;  but  as  they  walk  orderly  with  us,  they  are  in 
the  full  enjoyment  of  all  church  privileges,  and  we 
know  of  no  inclination,  in  any  one,  to  call  them  to  an 
account  for  dissenting.  Li  one  word,  we  never  have 
used,  or  thought  of  using,  any  compulsory  measures, 
with  any,  who  differed  in  opinion  from  us,  in  regard 
to  the  revisal  of  our  covenant ;  but  have  used  great 
carefulness  and  pains  to  conciliate  their  minds,  and  to 
persuade  them  to  walk  peaceably  and  regularly  with 
us. 

In  regard  to  Universalism,  indeed,  we  have  no  dis- 
position to  dissemble,  that,  in  our  view,  it  is  a  most 
dangerous,  and  censurable  heresy ;  and  that  it  is  high- 
ly important,  the  churches  of  Christ  should  bear  their 
public,  solemn,  and  decided  testimony  against  it.  A 
conviction  of  this,  however,  has  been  impressed  on 
our  minds,  chiefly  by  ivhat  ive  have  lately  seen  of  its 
spirit  and  effects.  And  we  are  fully  in  the  belief,  that 
had  even  the  Universalists.  in  this  church,  walked  with 
us,  in  any  good  measure  decently  and  orderly,  we 
should  never  have  inflicted  any  censure  upon  them, 
on  account  of  their  sentiments. 

We  were  not  unwilling  to  live  and  walk  peaceably, 
with  our  dissenting  brethren  ;  but  they  would  not  walk 
peaceably  and   regularly  with  us.     And   it  was   for 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  291 

their  disordorly  conduct,  their  ncfrlect  of  sacred  duty, 
their  (laj^raiit  violation  of  covenant  cni^af^enients,  ag- 
gravated by  the  unchristian  temjier,  which  they  man- 
ifested, that  we  cut  thein  off  from  our  christian  society 
and  communion." 

During  the  year,  between  the  latter  part  of  June 
1801,  and  that  of  June  1802,  there  was  one  continued 
succession  and  complication  of  movements  in  the 
warfare  against  the  pastor  and  the  church.  No  less 
than  three  ex  parte  councils  were  convened.  Proba- 
bly, not  a  week  passed,  if  a  single  day,  when  some- 
thing was  not  devised  or  attempted,  in  public,  or  in 
private,  to  aggravate  the  existing  unhappy  dissen- 
sions, and  render  all  overtures  of  christian  conciliation 
and  pacification  utterly  useless,  and  even  worse  than 
in  vain.  Such  a  state  of  things  has  no  precedent,  in 
the  previous  history  of  New  England ;  and  it  would 
not  be  easy  to  cite  a  parallel  from  any  of  the  most 
violent  ecclesiastical  conflicts  of  more  recent  days. 

By  the  middle  of  August,  a  plan  was  fully  matured 
to  carry  a  measure  wdth  the  forms  of  ecclesiastical 
sanction, — by  which  the  church  of  Fitchhurg'  itself 
should  virtually  be  excommunicated^  and  the  excommu- 
nicated of  the  church  should  be  enabled  to  take  the 
place  of  the  church,  in  the  legal  relations  of  the  town 
to  the  minister.  Such  a  high-handed  operation  could 
never  have  been  undertaken,  without  pledges  of  as- 
sistance from  clerical  counsellors^  whose  reputed  abili- 
ties and  general  standing  would  have  much  influence 
in  favor  of  any  decision,  which  they  might  see  fit  to 
promulgate  in  a  Council,  however  ex  parte^  or  Jesuiti- 
cal,— unauthorized  by  truth,  or  dangerous  to  the  "  lib- 
erty of  the  children  of  God." 


292  MEMOIR    OF 

"  To  many,  as  before  stated,"  says  the  iiaiTative  of 
the  pastor  in  his  "  Facts  and  Documents,"  &c. ;  the 
result  of  the  Council  of  the  22d  of  June  was  very  dis- 
satisfactory. They  were  still  determined  to  procure, 
by  some  means,  the  removal  of  the  pastor,  and  the 
overthrow  of  the  established  order  of  this  church. 
Manifestly  with  this  view  more  than  any  other,  the 
excommunicants,  bij  and  loith  advice^  projected  another 
Council.  Their  plan  was  to  get  a  Council  to  estab- 
lish tkem^  as  the  first  church  in  Fitchburg  ;*  and,  then, 
it  was  supposed  the  accomplishment  of  their  ultimate 
design  would  be  easy.  Apprized  of  our  sentiments, 
respecting  the  impropriety  of  joining  with  excommu- 
nicants, they  forwarded  a  request  to  us  to  join  with 
them  in  calling  a  Council ;  in  the  full  expectation,  no 
doubt,  that  the  request  would  be  refused,  and  that, 
then,  they  would  have  a  plausible  pretext  for  calling 
a  Council,  ex  parte ^  the  thing  which  they  welshed." 

The  church  could  not  grant  such  a  request  of  a 
Committee  of  the  five  excommunicated,  because,  as 
stated  to  them  by  the  pastor, — "  We  know  of  no  rule 
in  the  Gospel^  no  provision  in  the  p)latform^  no  precedent 
in  the  usage  of  the  churches^  which  will  authorize,  or 
warrant  a  church  to  join  with  excommunicated  per- 
sons in  calling  a  council.  There  would  be  an  impro- 
priety in  our  granting  your  request,  on  its  present 
basis.  This  I  state  as  being,  so  far  as  I  can  collect  it, 
the  sense  of  this  church.  It  is  also  the  sense  of  many 
respectable  characters,  clergymen  and  private  Chris- 
tians, with  whom  I  have  taken  opportunity  to  confer 
on  the  subject." 

To  this  statement  of  the  pastor,  in  his  letter  to  one 
of  the  Committee,  Aug.  18,  1801,  it  was  added  : 

*  "  We^  they  pretended,  had  formed  a  new  church,  because  we  had  revised 
the  covenant ;  and,  as  they  had  never  consented  to  the  revised  furm,  they 
were  to  be  considered  as  the  old  church. '^^ 


SAMUEL     WORCESTER.  293 

"  I,  therefore,  suggerit  to  you,  whether  you  may  not 
have  all,  which  you  consider,  as  matters  of  grievance, 
brought  to  an  impartial  hearing,  through  the  medium 
of  those  members  of  the  c/nwe/t^  who  are  with  you  in 
this  business.  If  there  be  any,  in  the  ehurc/i,  as  it  is 
intimated  there  are,  who  are  dissatisfied  with  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  church,  respecting  you,  as  well  as  re- 
specting themselves,  they  can  bring  the  whole  matter 
before  a  Council ;  and  when  once  it  is  brought  for- 
ward, you  will,  doubtless,  be  admitted,  by  the  Coun- 
cil, to  speak  for  yourselves.  I  am  candid  when  I  say, 
that,  to  me,  the  method,  here  suggested,  appears  the 
most  eligible,  even  for  you.  It  will  not  be  chargeable 
with  the  impropriety,  attached  to  the  method,  which 
you  seem  to  have  adopted  ;  and  you  would  have  all 
the  opportunity  for  statements  to  the  Council,  which 
you  could  wish. 

If  this  method  should  not  appear  eligible  to  you,  I 
would  further  suggest,  that  we  should  recognize,  as 
proper,  what  is  called  the  third  ivay  of  communion^ 
pointed  out  in  the  platform  ;  and  should  be  willing  to 
submit  our  proceedings  to  the  review  of  any  sister 
churches,  who  should  wish,  in  this  vmy^  to  examine 
them.  Satisfied  in  our  consciences  of  the  rectitude  of 
our  intentions,  and  believing  that  we  have  proceeded 
according  to  the  rules  of  the  Gospel,  we  rather  invite, 
than  shun,  fair  and  regular  examination,"  &c. 

It  may  surprise  some,  that  there  was  "  no  precedent 
knoivn  in  the  usage  of  the  churches^  to  authorize  or 
warrant  a  church  to  join  with  excommunicated  per- 
sons in  calling  a  council."  This  was  said,  advisedly. 
And  the  fact  is  to  be  explained  in  part,  by  the  very 
common  neglect  of  discipline  in  the  churches ;  but 
chiefly  by  the  difficulty  of  finding  a  proper  case  for  an 
ex  parte  council,  when  those  called  should  sacredly 
regard  the  limitations  and  rules,  which  had  been  pre- 
scribed in  the  "  Ratio  Disciplinae  of  the  New  England 

25* 


294  MEMOIR    OF 

Brethren,"  as  the  accredited  "  usage  of  the  churches," 
in  respect  to  such  councils. 

At  the  time  of  the  Fitchburg  controversy,  an  alarm 
appears  to  have  been  created,  by  the  prospect  of  a  re- 
sort to  ex  parte  councils,  by  the  Arminians  and  Arians, 
to  hold  in  check,  or  to  over-awe  the  spirit  of  doctrine 
and  of  discipline,  which  was  now  manifesting  itself  to 
their  especial  dissatisfaction.  And  as  yet  the  author- 
ity of  these  councils,  as  a  substitute  for  the  process  by 
"  the  third  way  of  communion,"  was  so  questionable, 
that  Dr.  Worcester  did  not  hesitate  to  resist  "  the  usage 
of  the  churches  "  in  this  particular,  as  alike  "  repug- 
nant to  both  Scripture  and  Platform."  He  reasoned 
with  great  force  against  ex  parte  councils,  of  every  de- 
scription and  in  any  circumstances. 

The  standing  of  excommunicated  persons,  also, 
would  seem  not  to  have  been  so  wxll  defined,  that, 
while  they  might  be  permitted  to  have  part  in  a  mu- 
tual council,  they  were  not  by  any  means  thus  recog- 
nized, as  having  the  same  rights,  as  before  they  were 
separated  from  the  church.  In  several  respects,  the 
practical  principles  of  ecclesiastical  procedure  were 
quite  unsettled  and  indeterminate. 

A  more  extended  field  of  observation,  and  not  un- 
likely an  experience  less  personal  to  himself,  recon- 
ciled Dr.  Worcester,  at  a  later  day,  to  "  the  usage," 
which,  in  his  earliest  investigations  of  the  sul)ject,  he 
considered  a  dangerous  innovation  upon  the  Plat- 
form, and  unwarranted  by  the  Scriptures.  He  so  far 
modified  his  opinions,  as  to  admit,  that,  in  an  ex- 
treme case,  and  such  only  as  can  but  seldom  occur, 
it  may  be  justifiable  for  individuals  to  appeal  to  an 
ex  parte  council ;  provided,  however,  that  there  must 
always  be  a  rigorous  adherence  to  "  the  usage   of  the 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  295 

churches,"  as  described  by  Mather.*  Such  a  case 
there  icas  not  at  Fitchburg,  in  1801.  And  the  merits 
of  the  controversy  were  unatlected  by  the  (juestion, 
whether  an  ex  parte  council  has  authority  to  review 
the  proceedings  of  a  church. 

To  the  pastor's  letter,  Aug.  18th,  one  of  the  "  injured 
brethren,"  as  they  styled  themselves,  replied, — "  We 
cannot,  with  propriety,  shift  the  ground  we  have  taken, 
but  are  willing  to  wait  your  decisive  answer,  till  the 
20th  of  this  instant."  An  answer  was  returned,  Aug. 
25th,  unanimously  refusing  the  request  of  the  excommu- 
nicated, and  ably  vindicating  the  refusal.  The  substance 
of  the  document  was,  in  a  few  weeks,  embodied  in  a 
"  solemn  protest "  against  the  jurisdiction  of  an  Ex- 
parte  Council, — the  first  of  the  series, — which  assem- 
bled at  the  call  or  desire  of  the  excommunicated,  and 
agreeably  to  their  plan  of  operations. 

"  FUchbiirg',  Sept,  14,  1801. 

Reverend  and  Respected,! — 

Having  learned,  tlioiig-h  not  from  any  official  or  regu- 
lar notification,  that  by  virtue  of  letters  missive,  from 
certain  individuals,  you  are  expected  to  form  a  council 

*  Ratio  Disciplinae,  &c.,  in  1726. 

Some  years  alter  Dr.  W.  was  settled  in  Salem,  he  once  gave  advice  to 
the  Tabernacle  Cluirch.  to  comply  with  a  request  for  an  attendance  in  an  Ex- 
parte  Council.  When  reminded  of  his  own  anlliority  against  such  councils, 
he  pleasantly  responded  — "  It  would  be  very  hard,  if  avian  icere  not  allowed 
to  grow  wiser,  as  he grovjs  older?- — The  Tabernacle  Church,  it  may  here  be 
mentioned,  originated  in  a  division  of  the  First  Church,  in  consequence  of  a 
process  of  disci|»line,  according  to  "The  Third  Way,'"  &:c.,  in  173-4-5.  In 
those  days,  the  deci.sion  of  a  council  could  be  enforced  by  law. 

If  a  full  and  fair  history  of  Ex-parte  Councils  could  be  written,  it  might 
appear  that  they  have  done  more  evil,  incalculably,  than  would  have  ever 
been  experienced,  if  they  had  been  utterly  repudiated,  from  the  beginning, 
hitherto. 

t  Not — Reverend  and  Beloved.  Dr.  W.  was  in  the  habit  of  using  terms 
of  courtesy,  which  he  could  also  use  in  godly  sincerity. 


296  MEMOIR    OP 

in  this  place,  on  Tuesday,  Sept.  15th,  current,  for  pur- 
poses which  deeply  concern  us;  we,  the  Church  of 
Christ  in  Fitchburg,  beg  leave  respectfully  to  present 
our  solemn  Protest,  against  your  proceeding,  as  a 
council,  to  take  cognizance  of  any  of  our  conduct  or 
concerns.  As  a  basis  of  this  protest,  we  offer  the  fol- 
lowing things. 

1.  We  hold  it,  as  a  principle,  that  individuals  can- 
not, of  right,  in  any  cases,  and  especially  in  cases 
touching  the  interior  polity  and  discipline  of  a  churchy 
convoke  an  ecclesiastical  council.  As  we  conceive, 
the  right  of  convoking  ecclesiastical  councils  belongs 
to  churches  only  ;  and  we  have  neither  precept  nor  ex- 
ample in  the  Christian  code,  nor  provision  in  the  Con- 
gregational platform,  for  this  right  to  be  exercised  by 
private  individuals.  Indeed,  a  council,  convoked  by 
individuals,  cannot,  with  any  propriety,  in  our  opinion, 
be  called  an  ecclesiastical  council^  nor  have  a  right  to 
take  cognizance  of  any  ecclesiastical  cases. 

It  is  a  fundamental  principle  in  the  constitution  of 
Congregational  churches,  that  every  reg-ular  parochial 
church,  ^  has  sufficient  authority,  vnthin  itself,  immediate^ 
ly  derived  from  Christ,  for  the  government  of  itself  in 
all  cases  ecclesiastical.^  (Mather.)  This  we  believe 
to  be  according  to  the  Gospel.  It  is  not  to  any  num- 
ber of  churches,  consociated  or  combined,  it  is  not  to 
any  council  or  synod,  but  to  each  and  every  regular 
Gospel  church,  in  its  distinct  capacity,  that  Christ  has 
delivered  '  the  keys  of  the  kingdom.'  And  we  can 
find  nothing  in  the  Christian  Scriptures,  which  will 
authorize  or  warrant  any  one  church  to  interfere  in  the 
discipline,  or  internal  polity  of  another,  (unless  it  be  in 
the  way  of  regular  admonition;)  or  any  number  of 
churches,  any  council  or  synod,  to  interfere  in  the  in- 
terior concerns  of  an  individual  church. 

But,  if  individuals  have  a  right  to  call  a  council,  and 
the  council,  so  called,  have  a  right  to  take  cognizance 
of  our  internal  concerns,  we  are  in  a  state  of  depen- 
dence, the  most  degrading  and  deplorable.  We  are 
dependent  on  the  will  and  caprice  of  every  unruly 
member,  who  can  fmd  churches  disposed  to  espouse 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  297 

his  canso,  and  suited  to  answer  his  purposes.  We  are 
liable  to  be  (Mnl)arrassed  and  controlled,  in  all  our 
measures,  ])y  clnnxhes  the  most  diverse  from  ns,  in  doc- 
trine and  discipline  ;  for  it  is  precisely  to  such  church- 
es, that  disallected  individuals  will  have  recourse  for 
counsel  and  assistance.  In  a  word,  we  are  liable  to 
be  obstructed  and  harassed,  upon  all  occasions,  and  to 
be  brought  into  complete  bondage,  by  every  turbulent 
and  revengeful  spirit. 

To  admit  that  individuals  have  a  right  to  convoke 
a  council  to  take  cognizance  of  the  affairs  of  a  church, 
to  w^iicli  they  may  belong,  or  have  belonged,  is  to 
place  the  minority  in  the  church,  however  small,  upon 
equal  ground  with  the  majority.  Nay,  for  individuals 
to  call  a  council,  and  arraign  the  church  before  it,  is  to 
exercise  a  power,  even  greater  than  a  whole  church 
can  exercise :  For  no  one  church  can  arraign  another 
church  before  a  council.  It  also  supposes  an  ecclesi- 
astical judicatory,  superior  to  the  church,  to  which  they 
have  right  of  appeal ;  and  by  which  the  decisions  of 
the  church  may  be  overruled,  or  reversed.  But,  how 
repugnant  is  this  to  both  Scripture  and  Platform ! 

K  we  be  told,  that  the  convening  of  councils,  at  the 
request  of  individuals,  is  agreeable  to  the  usage  of  the 
churches,  we  have  only  to  reply,  that  the  usage  of  the 
churches  is,  with  us,  no  authority,  any  further  than  it 
is  warranted  by  the  laws  of  Christ.* 

2.  If  it  were  admitted,  that  individuals,  while  re- 
taining their  church  standing',  may  convoke  an  ecclesi- 
astical council,  still  we  should  maintain,  that  exconi- 
municafcd  persons  have  no  such  right. 

Individuals,  when  excommunicated,  are  totally  cut 
off  from  all  the  rights  and  privileges  attached  to  church 
membership.  Hence,  should  it  be  granted  to  be  a 
right,  or  privilege,  belonging  to  individual  church 
members,  to  convoke  a  council,  it  could  not  be  recog- 
nized as  belonging  to  excommunicants.     In  the  simple 

*  In  course  of  the  controversy,  it  was  argfued,  that,  if  churches  are  not  in- 
fallihle^  but  are  liable  to  err,  and  to  do  injustice,  the  same  is  true  of  councils, 
li' churches  are  liable  \o prejudice,  so  also  are  councils. 


298  MEMOIR    OP 

act  of  complying  with  the  request  of  the  excommnni- 
cated  persons  for  a  council,  churches  take  a  part  in 
direct  opposition  to  the  church,  by  whom  the  censure 
of  excommunication  was  passed,  and  become  parties  in 
the  business.  This  church,  by  the  censure  of  excom- 
munication, declare  certain  individuals  to  be  totally 
unworthy,  and  disfranchised,  of  all  church  privileges. 
But,  by  sending  elders  and  messengers  to  act  in  coun- 
cil, at  their  request,  other  churches  declare  these  same 
individuals  to  be  still  endowed,  at  least  with  the  svp- 
posednghi^  attached  to  church  membership,  of  convok- 
ing a  council.  Thus,  in  the  face  of  the  world,  they 
set  aside  our  decision,  at  least  in  part;  and  virtually 
declare  us  incompetent,  as  a  church,  to  the  purposes 
of  self-government,  and  to  the  discipline  of  our  own 
members. 

Here  we  are  constrained  to  ask,  By  what  authority 
may  other  churches,  in  this  manner,  counteract,  and 
make  void,  our  disciplinary  proceedings  ;  and  on  the 
hare  representation  of  the  delinquent^  take  such  a  step, 
for  the  firsts  as  cannot  fail  to  make  a  strong  impression 
on  the  uninformed,  or  misinformed,  public  mind,  to  our 
disadvantage  ?  Is  this  agreeable  to  the  spirit  of  the 
Gospel  ?  Is  it  the  part  of  ti-ue  Christian  charity^  or 
sisterly  communion  ? — Is  it  Catholicism  ? 

If  from  any  representation  made  to  them,  our  sister 
churches  apprehend,  that  we  do  not  walk  orderly, 
according  to  the  laws  of  Christ;  ought  they  not  to 
forbear  their  censures,  until,  in  Si  more  private^  friendli/, 
and  Christian  way,  they  have  obtained  some  explana- 
tions and  statements //'o^^i  t(s  ? 

We  will  not  dissemble,  that  we  feel  ourselves  in- 
jured ;  and  that  we  consider  the  granting  of  a  council, 
at  the  request  of  individuals  excommunicated  by  us, 
and  as  we  believe,  according  to  the  laws  of  Christ,  an 
unwarrantable,  and  unprecedented  invasion  of  our  liber- 
ties and  rii2^hts  as  a  Christian  church.  And  we  must 
be  permitted  to  ask  further.  Have  we  as  a  church  of 
Christ,  or  have  we  not,  the  right  of  judging,  indepen- 
dently^ of  the  qualifications  of  our  own  members  ?  Or 
have   other  churches  a  right  to  interfere  in  this  busi- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  299 

ness  ?  If  other  cliurchos  have  a  right  to  say  whom  we 
shall  retain  in  onr  eonnnnnion,  have  they  not,  also,  a 
right  to  say  whom  we  shall  receive  ?  And,  if  so,  are  we 
not  in  a  state  of  com))lete  bondage?  Has  not  the  same 
cJiurch  ir/iic/i  admits  individuals  (o  the  privileges  of  nieni' 
bers,  a  right,  also,  to  cut  tliem  off  from  the  same  privi- 
leges, ivhenever  it  shall  judge  them  to  be  forfeited  ?  If 
this  be  a  right  which  belongs  to  every  Church  of 
Christ,  then,  before  other  churches  have  anything  to 
do,  in  the  way  of  council  and  communion,  with  those 
whom  we  have  excommunicated,  ought  tlieij  not,  in  a 
REGULAR  AND  FORMAL  MANNER,  to  declare  vs  vnworthyto 
exercise  the  rights  of  a  Christian  church,  and  no  longer 

IN   THEIR  FELLOWSHIP? 

If  it  be  said,  that  those  who  have  applied  for  a  coun- 
cil, in  this  instance,  are  not  all  excommunicated  persons, 
we  reply  in  one  word,  that,  in  the  most  explicit  man- 
ner, we  have  manifested  our  willingness  to  join  in  a 
mutual  council,  with  any  of  our  members,  who  feel  dis- 
satisfied ivith  any  of  onr  measures. 

3.  If,  after  all,  it  should  be  admitted,  that  in  ordi- 
nary cases,  even  excommunicants  have  a  right  to  con- 
voke a  council,  before  which  to  arraign  the  conduct  of 
the  church  ;  still  we  should  insist,  that  those  from 
whom  you  received  letters,  in  the  present  instance, 
cannot,  with  any  consistency,  be  considered  as  hold- 
ing that  right.  By  their  own  act  they  have  cut  them- 
selves off,  completely,  from  all  rights  and  privileges 
in  regular  Congregational  churches.  They  have,  in  an 
open  and  formal  manner,  gone  out  from  us,  and  de- 
clared, that  they  are  not  of  us.  In  open  contempt  of 
our  communion,  and  of  their  vows,  they  have  joined 
themselves  to  another,  and  what  we  consider,  a  most 
heretical  denomination,  and  entered  themselves  under 
the  bonds  of  a  solemn  compact  to  support  and  pro- 
mote it.  Nor  have  they  as  yet  manifested  the  least 
disposition  to  return  to  us,  or  to  the  faith,  and  order  of 
Orthodox  or  regular  Congregational  churches.  So  far 
from  it,  they  still  stand  pledged,  (by  compact,)  not  to 
return  ;  and  even  in  the  interval,  while  they  were  seek- 
ing a  council,  they  were  promoting  the  most  disorgan- 


300  MEMOIR    OF 

izing  measures  for  the  furtherance,  ostensibly,  of  their 
separate  society. 

Now,  we  beg  leave  to  ask,  With  what  consistency 
can  they  apply  for  a  council  to  Congi*egational  church- 
es ?  If  they  want  a  council  for  any  purpose,  why  do 
they  not  apply  to  their  own  sect  ?  Perhaps  they  wish 
for  the  patronage  of  Congregational  ministers  and 
churches.  Possibly,  they  even  imagine^  that  Congre- 
gational churches  and  ministers  have  become  so  lax,  in 
doctrine,  discipline,  and  manners,  as  to  he  prepared  to 
countenance  and  sanction  the  most  lieretical  opinions  and 
the  most  disorderly  practices  !  But  will  Congregation- 
al ministers  and  churches  cherish  this  idea ;  and  by  an 
act  the  most  public  and  solemn,  give  it  authenticity  ? 

Finally  :  If  it  might  be  at  any  time,  suitable  for 
churches  to  comply  with  a  request  for  a  council,  from 
persons  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  those  now 
in  question ;  yet  the  present  is,  in  our  view,  a  most 
unhappy  time  for  such  a  precedent. — The  awful  spirit 
which  is  prevalent  and  in  progress,  at  the  present  day, 
is  well  known, — a  spirit,  disposed  to  trample  on  all 
order  and  authority,  civil  and  ecclesiastical,  and  to  in- 
troduce unbounded  licentiousness  and  confusion  into 
church  and  state. 

We  deeply  regret,  that,  in  justice  to  ourselves,  and 
to  the  injured  cause  of  truth,  order,  and  religion,  in 
this  place,  we  are  obliged  to  state,  that  this  spirit  has 
been  most  conspicuous  in  the  conduct  of  those  who 
have  called  for  a  council,  on  this  occasion.  And  will 
the  Churches  of  Christ,  even  in  New  England,  coun- 
tenance and  encourage  such  a  spirit  ?  Will  they  tame- 
ly suffer  their  walls  to  be  thrown  down,  and  their  most 
sacred  privileges  to  be  trodden  under  foot  ?  We  en- 
treat it  may  be  seriously  considered,  whether  a  com- 
pliance with  the  wishes  of  these  people  will  not  open 
a  scene  of  endless  disorder  and  confusion  in  the 
churches  ? 

Such  are  the  principal  reasons,  on- which  we  ground 
our  protest  against  a  council,  called  in  the  manner, 
and  under  the  circumstances,  of  the  present  instance. 
It  is  not  because  we  dread  tiic  light,  that  we  enter  this 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  301 

protest.  No,  gciilomcn,  we  do  not  fear  the  lii^^ht.  On 
the  contniiy,  nio.st  gladly  should  we  embrace  a  fair 
and  ])r()|)er  occasion  to  lay  the  whole  scene  of  our  con- 
duct before  the  world  ;  for  we  feel  an  unabating  con- 
fidence, that,  in  that  event,  we  should  stand  justified 
ill  the  sight  of  all  impartial  judges.  And  we  hesitate 
not  to  declare  it  as  our  charitable  ojDinion,  that  had 
our  sister  churches  been  well  informed  of  circum- 
stances, they  would  not  have  complied  with  this  re- 
quest for  a  council. 

However,  if  any  of  the  reverend  and  respected  gen- 
tlemen, elders  or  messengers,  convoked  on  this  occa- 
sion, will  apply  to  us  in  the  capacity  of  private  Chris- 
tian brethren,  and  on  their  own  behalf,  for  any  infor- 
mation or  explanation,  we  are  disposed  to  treat  them 
with  all  respectful  attention,  and  to  communicate  on 
any  subject  freely.  Though  we  assert  our  indepen- 
dence in  regard  to  internal  polity  and  discipline,  and 
do  not  acknowledge  the  right  of  councils,  called  by  in- 
dividuals, nor  of  any  other  judicatory,  whatever,  to  in- 
terfere in  our  interior  concerns ;  we  still  acknowledge 
the  communion  of  the  churches,  and  particularly  the 
right  of  communion,  in  what  is  called  the  third  way. 
If  any  of  our  sister  churches  be  dissatisfied  with  our 
doctrine,  discipline,  or  manners,  we  shall  receive  it 
very  kindly,  if,  in  the  regular  Gospel^  and  sister  It/  ivai/, 
they  should  admonish  us  of  our  wrong,  and  endeavor 
to  reclaim  us  from  our  wandering,  and  re-establish  us 
in  the  right.  And  if,  after  a  regular  process  of  admoni- 
tion, we  be  found  incorrigible  or  irreclaimable,  they 
will  doubtless  have  a  right  to  reject  us  from  their  com- 
munion. Then,  also,  and  not  till  then,  as  we  conceive, 
may  they  of  right  attend  to  any  whom  we  have  ex- 
communicated ;  and  if  they  judge  them  to  be  qualified, 
admit  them,  not  by  aet  of  council,  indeed,  but  in  the  re- 
gular ecclesiastical  manner,  to  their  Christian  commu- 
nion. 

In  church-meeting,  voted  unanimously. 

Signed  by  the  Committee." 

26 


302  MEMOIR    OF 

"  After  the  reading  of  the  protest,  a  short  pause  en- 
sued. At  length  a  member  of  the  council  rose,  and 
observed,  that  in  this  land  of  liberty^  our  free  constitU' 
Hon  alloivs  citizens  the  right  of  appeal  from  a  lower  to 
a  higher  judicatory,  and  in  his  view  the  protest  did 
not  do  aioay  that  right*  The  gentleman  dilated  upon 
this  idea,  adverted  to  what  is  practiced  in  our  civil 
courts,  and  even  in  courts-martial,  and  concluded  with 
an  expression  of  his  opinion,  that  the  council  might 
proceed  to  a  hearing.  To  him  all  the  council  gave 
heed,  and  accordingly  proceeded. 

We  forbear  to  give  a  detail  of  what  passed  in  the 
public  hearing,  and  shall  only  observe  in  the  general, 
that  the  party  were  admitted  as  witnesses  in  their  own 
cases,  that  their  mutilated  representations  were,  ap- 
parently, received,  without  any  abatements,  as  just 
and  true,  and  that  to  others,  besides  the  members  of 
the  church  present,  the  whole  had  but  too  much  the 
appearance  of  a  mere  forensic  show."  f 

If  it  had  not  been  for  the  misapplied  talent  and  tact 
of  one  member  alone,  it  is  quite  presumable,  that  a 
majority  would  have  voted  to  dissolve  the  council,  in 
a  very  short  half  day,  after  the  presentation  of  such  a 
Protest.  In  truth,  with  all  the  open  and  the  concealed 
hostility,  which  existed  against  "  the  docti'ine  of  faith," 
and  the  exercise  of  discipline  for  the  purifying  of  the 
church  of  Fitchburg,  it  is  very  doubtful  if  such  an  Ex' 
parte  Council  could  have  ever  been  convened ; — unless 
there  had  been  an  unwearied  effort  of  management^  and 

*  "  Query.  Are  the  laws  of  Christ  repealed — or  {^  our  free  constitution  our 
rule,  in  ecclesiastical  cases,  '  iyi  this  land  of  liberty  ?  '  " 

t  Writing  to  one  of  his  brothers,  Sept.  14,  the  day  previous  to  the  meeting 
of  the  Ex-parte  Council,  the  venerable  father  of  Dr.  W.  spoke  of  the  council, 
the  supposed  object,  and  the  expected  members.  "  Your  brother  says,  he 
don't  fear  them  any  more  than  so  many  emmets.  He  wishes  the  council  to 
gratify  the  desires  of  the  excommunicated,  and  embody  them  in  a  church. 
He  thinks  it  will  be  an  effectual  means  to  separate  the  iron  and  clay  in  the 
image.    This  ke  wishes  for." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  803 

also,  it  is  to  be  feared,  not  a   little  of  tlie  dissembling 
and   eollusion,  which  can  poorly  stand   the   ordeal  of 

THE    JUDGMENT   OF  THE   GREAT  DAY. 

As  it  was,  the  council  were  evidently  embarrassed 
and  greatly  perplexed.  They  could  not  be  persuaded  to 
do  for  the  excommunicated,  what  most  of  all  was  de- 
sired and  expected,  viz.,  to  recog-nize  tJicm  as  the  Clnirch 
of  Fitcliburg; ;  or,  at  the  least,  to  give  them  a  church 
standing,  of  wiiich  they  could  take  advantage,  as  citi- 
zens^ in  their  purpose  to  annul  the  legal  contract  with 
the  pastor,  and  coerce  him  to  a  removal.  This  was  a 
sore  disappointment,  after  so  much  of  boastful  antici- 
pation and  taunting  menace.* 

In  the  words  of  the  Scripture,  it  may  be  "  an  in- 
strvction  and  an  astonishment^^''  to  contrast  the  Result 
of  the  Ex'parte  Council  of  Sept.  15th,  with  that  of  the 
Mutual  Council  of  June  22d.  It  will  be  borne  in 
mind,  that  all  the  matters  in  dispute  had  really  been 
considered  by  that  Mutual  Council,  less  than  three 
months  before ! 

The  Ex-parte  Council  consisted  of  the  church  in 
Leominster,  Rev.  Francis  Gardner,  with  two  dele- 
gates; church  in  Shirley,  Rev.  Phinehas  Whitney,  and 
delegate  ;  church  in  Billerica,  Henry  Cumings,  D.  D.,f 
and  two  delegates ;  church  in  Bolton,  Rev.  Phinehas 
Wright,  and  two  delegates  ;  and  church  in  Lancaster, 

*"  Manifestly  leagued  together  and  feeling:  strong  in  the  party  which, 
supported  ihem  out  of  the  church,  they  placed  the  authority  of  the  church  at 
defiance,  and  contemned  the  church  itself  and  all  its  proceedings.'"  "  When 
a  brother,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  and  in  a  manner  the  most  moving,  addressed 
Mr.  D.  upon  his  case,  entreated  him  to  manifest  a  diflerent  disposition,  and 
expressed  how  hard  il  would  be  for  a  church  to  proceed  against  him,  as,  if 
he  continued  obstinate,  they  would  be  obliged  to  do  ;  he  only  replied,  in  a 
very  sarcastic  and  menacing  tone,  '  /  giiess  you,  vjillfind  it  hard,  bt-fore  it  is 
done  with  !  '  "     Ex  uno,  disce  omnes. 

t  A  native  of   Mollis,  and  a  man  of  undisputed   ability.     Dr.  Worcester's 
father  had  known  him,  "  when  a  young  preacher."     See  above,  p.  GS. 


304  MEMOIR    OF 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Thayer,  and   delegate. — "  They  unan- 
imously accepted  the  following  Result. 

It  is  our  settled  opinion,  that  the  aggrieved  of  any 
church,  whether  under  temporary  suspension,  or  ex- 
communication, if  they  think  themselves  unjustly  cen- 
sured, may,  with  great  propriety,  apply  to  the  church 
to  join  them  in  the  choice  of  a  IVIutual  Council  to 
judge  between  them.  If  the  church  refuse  to  comply 
with  such  request,  it  is  reasonable  and  agreeable  to 
the  common  usages  of  these  churches,  for  the  aggrieved 
to  call  a  party  council  to  take  their  case  under  consid- 
eration and  give  their  judgment  and  advice.*  Upon 
this  ground,  we  have  complied  with  the  call  of  the 
censured  and  excommunicated  members,  in  this  place. 
Could  a  mutual  council  have  been  obtained  in  the 
usual  way,  or  in  any  other  way  which  would  have  al- 
lowed them  an  equal  voice  in  the  choice,  and  placed 
them  upon  equal  ground  as  a  complaining  party,  we 
should  gladly  have  excused  ourselves  from  the  present 
trouble,  f 

*  In  his  "plain  and  candid  Strictures  upon  this  extraordinary  result,"  Dr. 

W.  inquires  : — 

"  If  every  regular  Gospel  church  be  instituted,  by  the  laws  of  Christ,  a 
proper  judicatoiy^  and  have  received  from  him  authority  to  decide,  nllimately^ 
in  all  cases  of  diiicipline,ari>irig:  within  its  own  pale,  and  there  be  no  provision 
anywhere  made  for  an  appeal  from  the  church,  or  for  the  interference  of 
councils,  in  disciplinary  cases  ;  is  it '  reasonable  '  for  suspended  and  excono- 
municaled  individuals  to  disreg-ard  the  decisions  of  the  church,  and  to  call  a 
'  party  council '  to  '  lake  their  case  under  consideration,  and,"  in  the  authori- 
tative manner  of  the  present  instance,  '  to  give  iheir  jH(/o-nie7it  and  advice?  ' 
Is  it  '  reast>nal)le  '  to  appeal  from  dijiidicatory^  properly  atid  ferrfilly  co7istitiited, 
Xodi  self-created  trihinnil?  Is  it  '  reasonable  '  to  disrcfiard  the  authority,  and 
make  void  the  institutions  of  Christ,  and  to  teach  and  observe,  for  rules  of 
discipline,  the  opinions  of  men  ?  Is  this  '  agreeable  to  the  common  visages  of 
these  cluuchcs  i  '  " 

t  "  If  the  venerable  council  really  wished  to  'excuse  themselves  from  the 
trouble  '  of  attemiing  to  the  business,  and  to  have  it  referred  to  a  '  »2?//?ioZ 
coxinciV  what  could  they  wish  for  more,  in  favor  of  their  '  party,'  than  what 
•was  repeatedly  ollered  ?  It  will  be  observed,  that  the  '  party,'  in  favor  of 
■which  this  declaration  was  made,  included,  not  onlv  the  exronuntDii cants, 
but,  also,  the  suspfuded  members  of  the  church^iclio  xoere  witli  tliem,  andichom 
we  offered,  and  even  expressed  a  desire.,  to  join  in  a  '  mutual  coiaicil.''  To  the 
party,  therefore,  as  a  'party,''  we  offered  the  privilege  of  '■an  equal  voice  in 
the  choice,  and  equal grojind  as  complainants.''  This  was.  pt  rhaj)S.  too  much 
for  our  own  con.-«islency,  and  for  the  views  of  the  council.  We  think,  how- 
ever, the  venerable  council  might,  with  great  propriety,  '  have  excused  litem' 
selves  from  the  trouble.^'  of  this  remarkable  declaration.'^ 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  305 

We  are  very  sensible  that  they  who  form  their  jndg- 
ment,  upon  hearing  a  j^arty  in  their  own  cause,  are 
under  great  disadvantages,  and  liable  to  mistakes,  after 
all  their  endeavors  to  obtain  light  and  evidence.* 
What  the  complexion  of  our  result,  respecting  the  ex- 
communicated members,  would  have  be(Mi,  had  the 
church  been  disposed  to  give  us  what  light  they  were 
able,  we  cannot  say.  We  shall  honestly  express  our 
minds,  according  to  our  view  of  the  case,  after  attend- 
ing to  the  statements  that  have  been  laid  before  us,  in 
the  votes  of  the  church,  and  from  those  we  have  had 
from  the  representations  of  the  aggrieved  in  public. 

Although  it  is  our  firm  belief,  that  a  diversity  of 
sentiment,  in  regard  to  points,  about  which  Christians 
equally  good  and  learned  disagree,!  ought  not  to 
be  made  a  ground  of  censure,  yet  we  are  far  from  sup- 
posing the  aggrieved  are  not  culpable  in  any  instances. 
But  considering  circumstances,  viewing  them  with  an 
eye  of  candor,  and  making  reasonable  allowances  for 
the  infirmities  of  human  nature,  they  do  not  ap- 
pear to  us  to  have  merited  the  severe  censure,  which 
has  been  inflicted.  J 

*  "  Not  only  was  the  '  party  heard  in  their  own  cause,'  biU  hy  judges  of 
their  ovn  choosing,  and  in  a  manner  agreeable  to  their  own  mind!  " 

t  "  If.  ill  this  sentence,  the  council  had  reference,  as  doubtless  they  had, 
to  the  cases  immediately  in  view,  their  meaiiins:  must  be,  that  '  Christians, 
equally  good  and  learned,  disaarree  in  their  sentiments,'  respecting  'future 
punishment  ;'  and  that  no  sentiment,  res-peciing-  this  point,  ought  to  be  made 
a  ground  of  censure.  For  so  far  as  sentiment  was,  in  any  measure,  in  ques- 
tion, in  the  present  cases,  it  was  the  Universalian  sentiment.  In  this  public 
and  solemn  manner,  then,  have  this  venerable  council  taken  Universalism 
under  their  protecting  and  fo-terino^  wing  I  Tlirougliout  the  whole  of  this 
result  there  is  not  the  least  di-approbalion  of  the  sentiment,  either  expressed 
or  im()lied  ;  but  from  the  whole,  not  only  of  the  result,  but  of  the  public  hear- 
ing, it  appears,  that  they  consider  Universalism,  at  least  innoxious  and  inno- 
cent if  not  true ;  and  are  willing  to  extend  their  patronage  over  it,  and  to 
cherish  it  in  their  bosom.  If  it  were  before  believed,  that  these  gentlemen 
were  nut  opposed  to  Univer>alism  ;  it  was  hardly  expected,  that  they  would 
yet,  in  so  open  and  solemn  a  manner,  declare  themselves  its  advocates  and 
patrons. 

Are  the  churches  of  Christ,  then,  to  admit  the  infidel  doctrine,  that  it  is  no 
matter  what  a  man's  religious  sentiments  are,  or  whether  he  have  any  or 
none  ;  and  lo  cherish,  in  their  bosoms,  Sociniavism,  Universalism,?ind  even, 
perhaps.  Deism,  as  soon  as  they  become  popular,  a7id  obtain  the  patronage 
of  git-at  names?  If  so,  what  is  to  be  done  with  the  solemn  premonitions 
and  warnings  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  respecting  error?  And  how  are 
the  chnrchf  s  to  answer  their  proper  character  and  design,  as  '  the  light  of  the 
worlfL'  and  'the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  trt'th.'  " 

I  "  So,  then,  the  nedecl  of  family  religion  and  public  worship,  the  neglect 

26* 


806  MEMOIR    OP 

As  members  of  civil  society,  their  characters  appear 
fair,  and  some  have  merited  respect  and  esteem,  for 
exemplary  and  useful  lives.*  Justice,  also,  obliges  us 
to  observe  in  their  favor,  that  they  have  not  been 
charged  with  a  violation  of  their  first  covenant,  by 
which  only  they  consider  themselves  as  bound,  and  by 
which  onl}'-  they  think  it  reasonable  to  be  tried,  f 

We  do  not  approve  of  their  signing  the  compact, J 

of  the  special  ordinances  of  Christ's  house,  the  promoting  of  '  divisions  and 
ofleiices  contrary  to  sound  doctrine,'  and  to  the  gospel  order  of  the  churches, 
the  most  open  and  flaijrant  violations  of  covenant  engagements,  are  to  be 
charitably  impaled  to  the  innocent '  infirmities  of  human  nature,'  and  passed 
over  in  silence  I  Plow  grateful  must  not  the  unruly  and  disobedient,  in  every 
place,  feel,  for  such  powerful  advocacy!  But  is  it  not  a  solemn  affair,  thus 
lo  '■  stre7igtlien  tlie  hands  uf  the  wicktdj  that  they  should  not  return  from  their 
wicked  trays  ?  '  " 

*  "  Here  we  have  the  ^ro7f?id,  we  suppose,  on  which  the  venerable  coun- 
cil rested  their  result.  Because  some  of  their  party  were  of  some  repute 
and  pojmlar/ty,  in  the  world,  they  judged  them  all  proper  characters  for  a 
standing  in  the  Church  of  Christ.  This  was  evidently  the  ground,  on  which 
they  proceeded,  m  the  public  hearing.  One  of  the  reverend  members  of  the 
council,  inquired,  and  in  a  manner  as  if  it  were  of  great  importance  in  the 
case,  whether  one  of  the  party  had  not  heretofore  been  a  selectman  or  town 
clerks  And  this,  we  think,  may  be  fairly  exhibited,  as  a  specimen  of  the 
kind  of  evidence,  which  they  seemed  most  to  seek,  and  on  which  they  ap- 
parently placed  the  greatest  stress.  The  church  hid  expressed  their  opinion 
of  the  religious  character  of  those  people,  by  the  censures  iiiUicted  on 
them  ;  but,  regardless  of  the  opinion  of  the  church,  and  apparently  regardless 
of  religions  character,  the  council  seemed  chietly  concerned  to  know  the 
civil,  or  popular  characters  which  they  sustained  in  the  world.  But  is  this, 
then,  the  ground  on  which  churches  are  to  proceed  in  judging  of  the  qualifi- 
cations of  their  members  ?  '  As  members  of  civil  socifty^''  have  not  the  char- 
acters of  maiiy  c?(?/>i5  '  appeared  to  be  fair,' — and  have  not  '  some  of  them 
inerited  respect  and  esteem,'  for  what  are  generally  reputed  in  the  world,  as 
*  exemplary  and  useful  lives  ?  '" 

t  "  Must  not  people  be  in  a  very  sirigidar  siti(atio)i,  when  ^justice  obliges' 
their  advocates,  '  to  observe  '  that  '  in  their  favor,'  tchirh  has  no  foundation 
in  truth!  We  assert,  that  those  people  tvere  '  cliarged  with  a  violation  of 
tlicir  first  cove7iant.^  The  church  never  considered  them  '  as  hound  '  by  any 
other  covenant,  and  never  thought  of  'trying'  by  any  other,  than  what  the 
venerable  council  //ere  call  their  '  first  covenant.'  This  we  constantly  de- 
clared lo  the  censured  people,  while  dealing  with  them;  and  the  committee 
of  the  church  su|)po?ed  the  matter  was  explained,  with  sufficient  clearness, 
to  the  gentlemen  of  the  council,  in  the  time  of  the  conference." 

J"  They  did  not  disapprove  of  their  being  Universalists,  nor  of  their  using 
their  endeavors  to  promote  I'niversalian  teachers,  and  the  s|)read  of  Uni- 
versalism,  nor  of  their  leaving  the  slated  worship  of  the  church,  to  attend 
upon  Universalian  preaching  ;  and  they  even  declare,  that  they  '  should  not 
consider  it  as  dixjrderly,  or  a  bad  precedent,  for  any  regular  minister  lo  ad- 
minister sacred  ordinances  to  them,  in  their  own  town  '  ^Vhy,  then,  should 
they  disapprove  of  their  signing  a  '  compact '  for  their  belter  regulation  ? 
The  compact  has.  indeed  been  a  snare  to  them,  and  proved  a  hindrance  to 
the  accompli-ihment  of  their  designs  against  the  pastor  and  the  church  : 
but  could  It  be  on  this  account,  thail  the  venerable  council  did  not  approve 
of  their  signing  it?" 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  307 

as  it  is  called,  nor  of  the  instance  of  ofTorinc^  a  child 
for  baptism,  at  the  west  meeting-honse.  And  as  we 
consider  family  worship  an  im])ortant  duty,  we  wish 
any  who  have  ni^gleeted  it,  but  j)rofess  a  sense  of  the 
importance  of  ])rayer  in  general,  seriously  to  review 
the  grounds  of  their  past  omission.* 

\Vhilst  we  are  far  from  justifying  the  above  in- 
stances of  conduct,  and  some  others  with  which  the 
aggrieved  may  be  chargeable,  yet  when  we  consider 
excuses  and  apologies  which  they  have  made,  together 
with  their  ideas  of  their  singular  situation  under  the 
new  covenant  and  order  of  things,  which  have  lately 
been  introduced  into  the  church,  we  do  not  think  any 
of  them  culpable  to  such  a  degree  as  to  exclude  them 
from  christian  communion  in  gospel  ordinances.! 

Until  they  can  obtain  a  mutual  council,  equally 
chosen  by  the  church  and  themselves,  before  whom 
both  parties  can  stand  on  even  ground,  we  think  that 
other  churches  may  reasonably  admit  them  to  the  en- 
joyment of  christian  privileges,  without  any  infringe- 
ment of  the  rights  of  particular  churches,   who    are 

*  "  The  sentiments,  respecting  prayer,  of  the  particular  person,  here  ob- 
viously alluded  to,  are  c'oni]>lelely  deistical.  TJie  b/east,  he  says,  is  the 
'  closet  ;'  and  when  any  one  feels  disposed  to  pray,  he  may  pray  :  but  to  ob- 
serve stated  seasons  v(  prayer,  and,  especially,  to  pray  betore  others,  is,  ac- 
cording to  his  represenlalion,  totally  pharisaical  and  preposterous.  In  this 
way  it  is,  that  he  '  prt)fesses  a  sense  of  the  importance  o(  prayer  in  general.' 
And  these,  h\^  proiessed  sentiments,  respecting  prayer,  appeared  evidently, 
as  we  think,  to  be  admiited  by  the  council,  in  the  lime  of  ilie  public  hearing, 
and  are  here  alluded  to  in  the  result,  as  an  excuse,  or  palliation  of  his  neg- 
lect of  family  worship." 

t"  What,  then,  was  'their  peculiar  situation?'  Only  this:  they  were  a 
minority  in  the  church,  and,  therefore,  could  not  govern  the  church  accord- 
ing to  their  plea>ure  ;  and  they  were  under  the  necessity,  also,  of  worship- 
ping and  communing,  unless  they  at)senled  from  our  \vt)rsliip  and  com- 
munion, with  people,  who  had  a  little  more  explicitly,  than  before,  jjrofessed 
their  belief  in  the  Calvinian  doctrines,  and  tlieir  obligations  to  walk  in  all 
respects  agreeably  to  the  holy  precepts  of  the  gospel.  This  was  'their  pe- 
culiar situation.'  And  their  being  in  this  situation  is  admilied,  by  the  coun- 
cil, as  an  excuse  for  their  neglect  of  family  and  public  worship,  lor  their  ab- 
senting themselves  from  the  visible  communion  of  the  church,  for  their  em- 
bracing and  endeavoriiiir  to  promote  Universalian  sentiments  and  teachers, 
if,  indeed  in  the  view  of  the  council,  this  needed  any  excuse,  and  for  their 
going  out  from  us  and  joining  a  society,  manifestly  formed  in  opposition  to 
us.  In  one  word,  as  we  were  Ca/rhiists,  and  they  were,  ou  (hot  account, 
opposed  to  us,  the  venerable  council  could  easily  e.\cuse  all  the  irregulari- 
ties of  their  conduct  ;  and.  notwithstanding  some  things,  too  glarin;r  to  be 
publicly  approved,  could  freely  open  to  them  the  bosom  of  their  t)wn  fellow- 
ship, and  recommend  ihein,  also,  to  the  fellowship  of  other  churches  I"' 


308  MEMOIR    OF 

obliged  to  act  according  to  their  ideas  and  sense  of 
duty,  although  they  are  liable  to  mistakes  as  well  as 
private  members.* 

We  also  add,  that  until  such  a  council  can  be  ob- 
tained, as  it  may  be  inconvenient  for  the  aggrieved  to 
repair  to  distant  churches,  we  shall  not  view  it  as  dis- 
orderly or  a  bad  precedent,  for  any  regular  minister 
to  administer  the  ordinances  to  them  in  their  own 
town.f 

We  most  sincerely  lament  the  unhappy  differences, 
which  have  taken  place  among  christian  professors  in 
this  town,  whereby  several  have  been  excluded  from 
christian  fellowship. 

We  earnestly  recommend  to  the  censured  brethren, 
whose  case  we  have  had  under  consideration,  seriously 
to  inquire  by  what  spirit  they  have  been  actuated, 
and  to  rectify  whatever  they  may  find  to  have  been 
amiss,  either  in  their  temper  or  conduct,  which  may 
have  contributed  to  bring  them  into  their  present 
melancholy  situation ;  and  in  the  exercise  of  christian 
candor  towards  those,  who  differ  from  them  in  specu- 
lative sentiments,  to  use  all  suitable  means  consistent 
w^ith  their  rights,  as  private  Christians,  to  bring  about 
a  reconciliation,  with  the  church,  that  they  may  again 

*"  Here  the  council  have  informed  us,  in  language,  more  explicit,  per- 
haps, than  before,  that  they  consider  the  disciplinary  proceedings  of  the 
church,  as  of  no  validity,  Is  not  this  a  matter  of  very  deep  concernment,  to 
all  those  churches,  which  wish  to  maintain  any  regular  discipline?  Where 
shall  we  hud  a  law^  of  Christ  constituting  a  council,  an  ex  parte  council,  a 
paramoimt  judicatory,  with  authority  thus  to  '  lord  it  over  God's  heritage?' 
And  is  it,  then,  '  reas^onahle  '  for  other  churches  totally  to  disregard  our  de- 
cisions, respecting:  offenders  ;  and  in  opposition  to  us.  to  admit  our  suspend- 
ed and  excommunicated  members  to  the  enjoyment  of  christian  privileges? 
Is  this  no  '  infringement  of  our  rights  as  a  particular  church  V  " 

t"  Perhaps  the  council,  in  this  sentence,  had  not  reference  to  gospel  or- 
der.  but  merely  to  civile  or  social  order.  But  what  would  they  think,  should 
elders  and  mes>engers  from  Calvinistic  churches,  go  into  their  societies, 
and  take  a  numlier  of  malcontented  people  under  their  patronage,  and  with- 
out any  more  reirularity  or  formahty,  than  what  has  been  observed  here, 
express  llieir  readiness  to  admit  them  to  their  fellowship,  and  even  recom- 
mend it  to  '  rejiuhir  niini>lers,  to  administer  sacred  ordinances  to  theui  in 
their  own  town?'  Would  they  '  not  think  it  disorderly  and  a  bad  precedent?' 
What  could  have  a  greater,  or  more  direct  tendency,  than  such  a  procedure, 
to  promote  disorder,  confusion,  and  every  evil  work   in  society? — But  we 

ARE  A  CaLVIMSTIC  CHURCH  ;  AND,  THERKFORE,  NOTH I  NG  ISTOBE'CON- 
SIDERRD  AS  DISORDKRUY  OR  A  BAD  PRECEDENT,'  WHICH  TENDS  TO  WEAKEN 
OUR  HANDS,  TO  liNTERRUi'X  OUR  PEACE,  AND  TO  BEAR  US  DOWiN  !" 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


309 


know  by  joyful  cxpcriciu'C  'how  <rood  and  pleasant  it 
is  for  bri'liiR'n  to  dwell  togctlicr  in  unity.'* 

May  the  (u)d  of  love  and  peaee  bestow  his  benedic- 
tion upon  his  ehurch  and  people  in  this  town,  and  in- 
spire all  parties  with  that  charity,  which  (lis|)laying 
itself  in  actions,  as  well  as  words,  is  the  distinguish- 
ing characteristic  of  the  disciples  of  the  meek  and 
lowly  Jesus. 

Francis  Gardner,  Moderator, 

Nathl.  Thayer,  Scribc.^^ 

By  this  Result,  the  Council  may  have  satisfied 
themselves,  about  as  little  as  they  did  their  "i/ywrecZ 
brethrefi,''^  who  anticipated  so  much  more,  than  "  good 
words  and  fair  speeches  "  to  "  deceive  the  hearts  of  the 
simple."  The  church  was  unharmed  and  undismayed. 
When  there  the  men,  whose  coming  had  been  preceded 
by  a  great  flourish  of  trumpets,   had  not  found  it  so 

*  *'  In  one  sense,  indeed,  all  religious  sentiments  are  '  speculative.'  But 
by  '  speculative  senliinenls,'  as  the  phrase  is  commonly  used,  we  under- 
stand such  s^enliiTients  as  are  of  no  practical  importance  or  ivfiaence.  This, 
we  think,  is  ui  douhiedly  the  meaning,  which  the  council  intended  should 
be  affixed  to  the  phrase. 

It  is  then,  in  the  view  of  the  council,  of  no  practical  importance,  what  a 
man's  sentiments  be.  respecting  future  punishment  ;  whether  he  believe 
that  all  men  will  be  saved,  or  that  the  WMcked  will  be  '  punished  with  ever- 
lasting-destruction.' What  sentmients,  then,  respecting  things  of  a  relig- 
ious nature,  and  of  the  future  world,  are  not  merely  '  speculative  ?"  What 
gentiuienis  are  to  be  considered,  as  of  any  practical  importance  or  influence  ? 
The  different  seniiments,  respectmg  human  depraviiy.  regenerition,  and 
the  nature  of  true  holiness,  the  Divinity  of  the  Redeemer,  atonement  and 
justification,  and  the  divine  purposes,  are  often  represented,  as  merely 
'  .<t/7fc?^/fl//i'e  .*/^;;//«w^?/<t  '  and  '  .AIET.1PH  YSICAL  SiiBTiLTi  KS.'  But  this  is  the 
first  time,  we  have  heard  the  diflerent  seiUiments,  respecting  future  punish- 
ment, represented  in  this  manner.  If  the  different  senluuenls,  respecting  all 
these  subjects,  be  merely  'speculative;'  are  not  the  diflerent  sentiments, 
respeclinif  the  divinity  and  truth  of  the  Scriptures,  also,  merely  '  specula- 
tive?' If  it  be  of  no  practical  importance,  or  influence,  what  our  sentiments 
be,  respectino-  any  of  the  great  subjects  or  doctrines  of  revelation  ;  of  what 
practical  importance  can  it  be,  whether  we  believe  in  revelation,  or  not  ? 
Of  what  mighty  im|)ortance  can  it  l)e,  merely  to  believe,  that  there  is  such  a 
thing  as  revelaiion  ;  when  it  is  of  no  importance  what  we  believe  concern- 
ing the  great  points,  on  which  it  treats  ? — Does  not  this  muthni  '  catJiulicism^^ 
this  boasted  '  lihcrolity  of  seiitimeyit,''  ^o  \)0\)\\\PiT  in  the  present  age,  lead  di- 
rectly to  DEISM  ? — N'ly.  is  it  7iot  itsel/THK  very  essence  of  infidelity  ?— - 
No  wonder,  then,  that  Deists  and  professed  Chtistians,  of  these  liberal  senti- 
vietits,  can  meet  to^ellier.  on  harmonious  ground,  and  unite  in  their  opposi- 
tion to  experimeuial  religion,  and  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  I'' 


310  MEMOIR    OF 

easy  to  achieve  a  triumph.  Some  were  there,  who 
cared  not  to  be  there  again.  The  issue  of  the  encoun- 
ter of  "  Ario-Arminianism,"  Universalism,  and  Deism, 
with  "  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,"  as  thus 
far  visible, — inspired  the  persecuted  church  and  ag- 
grieved pastor  with  new  confidence  in  the  power  of 
truth  and  the  "  armor  of  God,"  to  enable  them  "  to 
withstand  in  the  evil  day,  and,  having  done  all,  to 
STAND."  The  pastor  was  never  in  his  life  more  firm 
and  unmoved.  He  was  cheered  by  the  best  sympa- 
thies and  the  unceasing  prayers  of  his  devoted  friends. 
His  true  and  faithful  brethren  in  the  ministry,  far  and 
near,  regarded  him  as  an  example  and  a  spectacle,  of 
which  they  could  speak  to  one  another,  in  no  measur- 
ed terms  of  cordial  and  grateful  admiration. 

Foiled  in  their  purposes   against  the  pastor  of  the 
church,  and  mortified  that  the  Result  of  the   ex  parte 
council  so  palpably  "profited  nothing,"  the  excommu- 
nicated and  their  coadjutors  resolved  to  try  the  virtue 
of  another  expedient.     As  members  of  the  "  Fitchburg 
Universal  Christian  Society,"  the  leaders  among  them 
could  claim  a  right  by  vote  of  the  town,  to   use  the 
meeting-house,   a  certain   number  of   Sabbaths  in   a 
year,^ — a  vote  which  hitherto  had  been  "  a  dead  letter." 
Oct.  20th,  they   "  unanimously  rejected  the  proposi- 
tions  made  by  a  number  of  persons  from  the   Rev. 
Samuel  Worcester's  Society  [church  ?],  and  offered  the 
Rev.  Samuel  Worcester's  Society  the  following  reso- 
lutions, viz.     Taking  into  consideration  the  unhappy 
situation  of  the  town,  and   sincerely  wishing,  that  a 
union   may  be  brought  about,  we  say,  1st.    That  un- 
less you  agree  that  the    contract   between   the   Rev. 
Samuel  Worcester  and  the  town   shall  be  dissolved  ; 
after  three  Sabbaths  next  ensuing,  we  shall  positively 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  311 

assert  our  rit^ht  in   the  meeting-house,   and  use  it  in 
future  a<i:reeable  to  the  vote  of  the  town. 

2d.  If  you  comj^ly  with  the  above,  you  may  be  as- 
sured that  our  compact  will  be  dissolved,  and  that  we 
will  meet  you  on  equal  ground,  in  candidatiiig  for 
another  Congregational  minister. 

Voted,  to  choose  a  committee,  to  present  the  above 
to  the  Rev.  Samuel  Worcester's  Society,  and  to  re- 
ceive proposals,  if  there  be  any  offered." 

A  copy  of  this  vote,  with  the  record  of  other  pro- 
ceedings of  the  meeting,  was  sent  by  the  clerk,  "  to  the 
Rev.  Samuel  Worcester,  to  be  communicated."  The 
notice  which  it  received,  will  need  no  explanation  or 
comment. 

"  Fitchburg',  Oct.  26,  1801. 
Gentlemen, — 

The  enclosed  document,  purporting  to  come  from  a 
Society  of  Universalists  in  Fitchburg,  through  the 
medium  of  their  clerk,  was  forwarded  to  me  under  a 
sealed  cover.  It  was  directed  to  me,  as  you  will  per- 
ceive, '  to  be  communicated ;'  and,  if  I  understand  it, 
was  desired  to  be  communicated  to  the  '  Societij^^  of 
which  I  am  the  minister  or  public  teacher.  If  I  com- 
ply with  the  request,  therefore,  I  must  communicate  it 
to  the  toivn  of  FitcJiburg ;  excepting  those,  however, 
who  are  in  a  regular  and  legal  way,  exempted  from 
ministerial  taxes.  Accordingly,  though  I  know  not 
why  it  should  have  been  committed  to  my  hands,  yet 
being  willing  to  oblige,  I  beg  leave  to  transmit  it  to 
you,  as  the  proper  medium,  through  which  it  should 
be  '  communicated '  to  the  town, — or  '  Society,'  of 
which  I  am  the  minister  ;  and  you  will  be  pleased  to 
take  such  measures  for  its  ultimate  communication, 
as  your  wisdom  shall  dictate. 

You  will  observe,  that  the  Society  from  wliich  this 
document  purports  to  come,  express  a  determination 
to  '  assert  their  right  in  the   meeting-house  ;'  unless  a 


312  MEMOIR    OF 

certain  condition  be  complied  with,  on  the  part  of  the 
town.  What  their  right  in  the  meeting-house  is,  I 
shall  not  undertake  to  say ;  I  have  understood,  indeed, 
that  by  virtue  of  a  vote  of  the  town,  some  who  have 
assumed  the  name  of  the  Fitchburg  Universal  Chris- 
tian Society  claim  a  right  to  the  exclusive  use  of  the 
meeting-house,  for  a  certain  proportion  of  the  Sab- 
baths of  every  year.  If  this  be  the  case,  and  the 
meeting-house  be  appropriated  accordingly,  I  shall 
confide  in  the  honor  and  good  faith  of  the  town,  that 
they  will  either  notify  me  in  a  regular  manner,  that  I 
am  discharged  from  ministerial  services,  or  else  pro- 
vide some  other  proper  and  convenient  place  for  wor- 
ship, during  the  time  that  the  meeting-house  shall  be 
occupied  by  Universalists,  or  Separatists,  of  any  other 
denomination.  As  to  a  dissolution  of  the  contract 
between  me  and  the  town,  mention  of  which  is  made 
in  the  enclosed  communication,  I  need  not  inform  you, 
that,  several  months  ago,  the  tDwn  signified  to  me 
their  wish,  that  the  contract  might  be  dissolved.  I 
was  also  myself,  notwithstanding  any  thing  which  has 
been  said  to  the  contrary,  sincerely  desirous  for  the 
same.  The  matter  was,  however,  according  to  con- 
tract, and  mutual  agreement,  referred  to  a  Council. 
But  the  Council  did  not  advise  to  a  dissolution,  but 
to  my  continuance  in  my  present  ministerial  relation. 
This  result,  though  difierent  from  previous  expecta- 
tion, was,  however,  formally  accepted,  by  all  parties 
properly  concerned.  Hence,  so  far  as  I  am  informed, 
the  last  act  of  the  town,  relative  to  my  dismission,  was 
an  expression  of  their  minds,  that  it  was  not  best,  that 
a  dismission  should  take  place,  but  that  I  should  still 
continue  as  their  minister,  according  to  contract.  If 
the  town  have  since  altered  their  minds,  and  do  not 
wish  me  to  continue,  they  will  regularly  notify  me  ac- 
cordingly. For  myself,  I  hold  myself,  with  all  sub- 
mission, entirely  at  disposal ;  ready  to  serve  the  town 
still  longer,  or  to  take  a  dismission  in  a  regular  way, 
as  shall  be  thought  most  expedient,  by  those  whose 
proper  business  it  is  to  act  upon  the  question.  It  may 
not  be  unsuitable,  however,  for  me  to  express  it,  as 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  313 

my  serious  opinion,  that  excludini^^  me  from  the  meet- 
ing-house, for  any  part  of  the  time,  or  any  other  irreg- 
ular proceeding,  will  have  no  tendency  to  restore  union 
and  peace  to  the  town,  either  by  dismission  or  other- 
wise. 

With  sincere  assurances,  that  no  one  wishes  for  the 
good  of  this  town,  more  ardently  than  myself,  and 
that  I  am  ready  to  make  almost  any  personal  sacri- 
fices for  this  object, 

I  am,  Gentlemen,  with  great  respect, 

your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Samuel  Worcester. 

TJie  Gentlemen  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Fitchhurg: 
to  he  communicated^  if  they  shall  think  it  proper P 

Such  a  reference  of  their  communication,  the  mem- 
bers of  the  "  Universal  Christian  Society  "  had  hardly 
expected.  It  was  one  of  the  incidents  of  the  contro- 
versy, which  occasioned  more  smiles  than  tears.  And 
justice  requires  the  suggestion,  that  the  opposers  of 
Dr.  Worcester  evidently  felt  themselves  to  be  con- 
tending "  at  fearful  odds ;"  and  not  uncharitably,  it 
might  have  been  said  of  them,  as  perhaps  it  was,  that, 
"  like  the  heath  in  the  desert,"  they  "  shall  not  see 
when  good  cometh."* 

It  may  well  be  supposed,  that  the  father  and  broth- 
ers of  Dr.  Worcester  would  be  deeply  interested  in  the 
affairs  of  Fitchburg.  They  were  "  swift  to  hear  "  and 
not  "  slow  to  speak." 

*  So  often  were  they  ensnared  by  their  own  devices,  that,  as  Dr.  W,  re- 
marked to  one  of  his  theological  students,  some  years  afierwards, — "they 
were  afraid  to  accept  of  the  plainest  proposition  ;  imagining,"  as  he  pleas- 
antly added,  "  that  their  minister  was  near  about  a  witch.^^ 

27 


314  MEMOIR    OF 

Mr.  Jesse  Worcester. 

'  "  Fitchburg,  Nov.  21,  1801, 
My  dear  Brother, — 

The  present  prospect  is,  that  peace  will  be  settled 
between  France  and  England,  before  it  will  be  in  this 
town.  Another  meeting  has  been  holden  this  week, 
at  which  votes  were  passed  relative  to  my  dismission, 
similar  to  those  which  were  passed  last  April,  There 
appears,  however,  to  be  a  little  more  moderation  of 
temper,  and  regularity  of  proceeding.  People  appear 
to  be  convinced,  that  as  I  came  in  by  order,  I  must  go 
out  by  order.  At  my  recommendation,  a  committee 
has  been  appointed,  selected  from  the  different  parties, 
to  confer  together  upon  the  existing  state  of  things, 
and  to  attempt  some  terms  of  agreement.  What  will 
be  the  issue  of  the  business  can  hardly  be  conjectured. 
We  must  leave  it  with  Him,  who  orders  all  things 
wisely.     *     *     * 

I  have  been  for  about  a  fortnight  very  deeply  en- 
gaged, in  preparing  a  statement  of  facts  and  docu- 
ments, respecting  our  ecclesiastical  affairs,  together 
with  some  strictures  on  the  result  of  the  ex  parte 
council.  The  whole  will  make  a  book  of  eighty  or 
ninety  pages.  The  manuscript  is  nearly  completed. 
If  we  publish,  it  will  make  a  smoke,  and  perhaps,  some 
fire.  But,  let  it  burn ;  there  are  proper  combustibles  m 
sufficient  quantity. 

Frequent  visits  from  you  would  be  very  comforta- 
ble for  me,  in  these  '  troublous  times.'  Our  affec- 
tionate regards  to  our  dear  sister  and  love  to  your 
children.  I  have  written  so  much  of  late,  that  I  am 
attended  with  a  considerable  weakness  at  my  stomach. 
Owing  to  that,  and  to  the  want  of  time,  I  am  unable 
to  wi'ite  to  my  father,  who  will  be  pleased  to  excuse 
me,  and  accept  our  most  dutiful  respects.  Let  us  aJl, 
my  brother,  be  prepared  to  meet  the  events  and  scenes 
which  await  us. 

Your  very  affectionate  brother, 

Samuel  Worcester." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  315 

Of  the  proceedings  of  the  town,  in  November,  the 
public  were  informed  by  "the  book"  of  "facts  and 
documents,"  a  few  months  afterwards.  It  had  become 
necessary  to  correct  many  false  and  calumnious  re- 
ports ;  while  a  higher  motive  w^as  that  of  imperative 
duty,  in  "  the  cause"  which  "is  not  of  a  private  or 
local,  but  of  a  public  and  general  nature,"  and  "  in  the 
issue  of  which  ail  the  real  friends  of  the  Gospel"  were 
"  deeply  concerned." 

"  In  addition  to  the  vote  for  dividing]:  the  meetinor- 
house,"  said  Dr.  Worcester,  in  his  statement  to  the 
public, — "  it  was  voted,  that  all  who  would  give  in 
their  names  to  the  Town  Clerk,  as  having  separated 
themselves  from  me,  and  joined  any  other  society  or 
denomination,  should  be  exempted  from  ministerial 
taxes.  It  is  worthy,  perhaps,  of  particular  remark, 
that  in  these^  and  all  the  subsequent  votes  respecting-  my 
dismission^  people^  loho  had  never  been  considered  as 
belonging  to  my  society^  who  had  never  attended  upon 
my  ministry^  nor  paid  to  my  support^  were  alloived  to 
vote* 

It  appears  to  have  been  the  expectation,  that  these 
measures,  would  have  induced  me,  immediately  and 
without  formality,  to  quit  this  place.  These,  it  is 
supposed,  are  the  measures,  to  which  the  venerable 
council  of  the  22d  of  June  allude,  when  they  say, 
"  The  council  cannot  give  any  countenance  to  those 
irregular  and  equivocal  measures^  which  appear  to 
have  been  adopted  to  strip  the  church  of  its  privileges, 
and  to  take  from  them  a  pastor  apparently  so  dear  to 
them."     Those  who  withdrew  were   either  Universal- 

*  "  It  is  well  understood,  that,  v.^lioever  may  be  the  minister  in  this  place, 
the  people  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town  are  determined  to  bear  no  part 
in  his  support.  And,  though  they  have  acted  in  confederacy  with  those, 
who  have  been  pushing  for  my  removal,  in  the  other  parts  of  the  town,  and 
by  their  numbers  have  given  a  superiority  to  the  opposition,  they  have  had 
their  separate  ends  to  accomplish."  They  asked  for  the  use  of  the  meeting- 
house, a  part  of  the  time,  "  with  a  design  to  bring  the  town  to  terms." 


316  MEMOIR    OF 

ists,  or  they  were  not.  If  they  were  really  Universal- 
ists,  and  separated  themselves  upon  principle,  and  for 
conscience  sake,  it  might  be  supposed  improper  for 
them  afterwards,  to  come  forward,  as  they  did,  and  act 
in  town  meeting  upon  ministerial  concerns.  If  they 
were  not  Universalists,  their  conduct  in  joining  a  Uni- 
versal Society,  and  solemnly  obligating  themselves  to 
support  and  promote  it,  might  be  thought  difficult  to 
reconcile  with  a  proper  regard  for  good  order  In  socie- 
ty, and  any  well  established  religious  principle. 
•  Although  the  measures  now  in  vie\v,  instead  of  an- 
swering their  expectations,  proved  a  hindrance  to  the 
accomplishment  of  the  designs  of  the  opposition,  yet 
the  same,  or  similar,  measures  were  afterwards  re- 
newed. 

Some  time  after  the  vote  for  accepting  the  result  of 
the  council  ^^as  obtained  in  the  town,  another  town 
meeting  was  called,  at  which  a  vote  for  dividing  the 
meeting-house,  according  to  the  former  manner  was 
passed.  But  as  that  did  not  answer  their  purposes, 
another  meeting  was  called,  on  the  17th  of  November, 
at  which  a  committee  of  the  town  was  appointed  to 
wait  upon  me,  and  with  me  to  agree  upon  a  council 
in  order  for  a  dismission.  It  is  particularly  to  be  ob- 
served, that  it  was  the  intention  totally  to  exclude  the 
churchy  in  its  proper  capacity^  from  any  part  in  the 
choice  of  the  contemplated  council ;  and  this  intention 
was  expressed  in  town  meeting,  in  the  most  pointed 
manner. 

In  the  interim,  however,  between  the  town  meeting 
and  my  conference  with  the  town's  committee,  a 
meeting  of  the  church  was  holden,  at  which  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  be  Avith  me,  and  assist  in  the 
conference.  When  we  came  together,  we  disagreed 
very  much  in  our  construction  of  the  following  article 
in  the  terms  of  my  settlement. 

*  If  it  should  so  happen  in  the  course  of  his  (Mr. 
Worcester's)  ministry  in  Fitchburg,  that  diificulty 
should  arise  on  his  part,  which  should  prove  a  griev- 
ance to  tJiis  chnrch  and  people,  which  may  give,  m  their 
opinion^  just  occasion  for  complaint  against  him,  pre- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  317 

judicial  to  the  peace  and  liappiness  of  this  church  and 
people^  ihi'y  shall  have  a  rii^^ht  to  dismiss  hirn  from  his 
pastoral  relation  to  this  church  and  people^  with  the  ad- 
vice of  a  mutual  council.'' 

The  ditlerence  arose  respecting  the  meaning  of  the 
phrase,  '-church  and  peopled  By  the  committee  of  the 
church  and  myself,  this  phrase  was  understood  to  mean 
the  '  cluirch,'  in  its  proper  ecclesiastical  capacitij^  and 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  in  their  civil  capacity. 
This  is  the  sense  in  which  I  always  understood  the 
terms  of  my  settlement;  and  never,  until  the  commence- 
ment of  the  present  unhappy  contest,  did  I  suppose, 
that  they  either  were,  or  could  be,  otherwise  under- 
stood. But  the  committee  of  the  town  insisted,  that 
the  phrase  in  question  should  be  understood  to  mean 
only  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  including  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church,  in  the  capacity  of  mere  citizens. 
This,  it  will  be  seen,  was  a  difference  of  very  material 
consequence. 

By  the  committee  of  the  church  and  myself,  it  was 
supposed,  that  the  state  of  things,  contemplated  in  the 
terms  of  settlement,  when  a  council  should  be  called, 
had  not  yet  arrived.  For  nothing,  on  my  part,  had 
taken  place,  which,  by  '  this  church^  was  considered  as 
*  a  grievance.^  But,  although  I  did  not  consider  my- 
self bound  by  the  terms  of  settlement,  to  consent  to  a 
council,  yet  I  was  willing,  and  even  desirous,  that  an- 
other council  should  be  called,  provided  the  church 
might  be  admitted  to  its  right  in  the  choice.  But  here 
was  the  grand  difficulty.  The  town's  committee  would 
not  recognize  the  right  of  the  church,  in  its  proper  ca- 
pacity, to  any  part  in  the  business.  This  was,  in  my 
view,  a  matter  of  no  small  consequence.  I  considered 
my  pastoral  relation  to  this  church  as  of  a  nature  the 
most  solemn  and  sacred  ;  and  did  not  hold  myself  at 
liberty  to  come  to  an  agreement  with  the  town,  to  the 
total  and  pointed  exclusion  of  the  church,  and  even  in 
opposition  to  it,  for  a  council, in  order  for  a  dissolution 
of  that  relation.  I  felt  myself  bound,  indeed,  firmly  to 
resist  the  proposition  :  And  this  more  especially,  as 
there  had  been  manifested,  by  the  leaders  in  the  oppo- 

27* 


318  MEMOIR    OP 

sition,  a  determined  spirit  to  break  down  the  distinc- 
tion between  the  church  and  the  town,  and  to  strip  the 
church  totally  of  its  privileges  and  rights.  I  could  not 
consent  to  the  establishment  of  a  precedent  of  a  ten- 
dency, in  my  view,  so  threatening  to  general  religious 
order ;  but  felt  it  incumbent  on  me,  as  a  watchman  on 
the  walls  of  Zion,  to  stand  in  the  breach,  and  maintain 
the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  church,  to  the  last  ex- 
tremity. 

After  a  great  deal  said  on  the  subject,  it  was  pro- 
posed, and,  as  I  thought,  established,  as  a  preliminary, 
that  one  of  the  churches,  of  which  the  council  might 
consist,  should  be  agreed  upon  between  the  committee 
of  the  town,  the  committee  of  the  church,  and  myself; 
that  one  half  of  the  rest  should  be  mutually  agreed 
upon  between  the  two  committees  ;  and  that  the  other 
half  should  be  left  to  my  choice.*  Upon  this  principle 
an  attempt  was  made  for  the  choice  of  a  council.  The 
odd  church  was  agi*eed  upon  ;  and  hence,  so  far  as  de- 
pended npon  me,  the  business  was  settled.  But  the  two 
committees  could  not  come  to  an  agreement,  respect- 
ing their  part  of  the  council.  The  committee  of  the 
church  consented,  indeed,  to  one  church  nominated  ou 
the  part  of  the  towu  ;  f  but  the  town's  committee  would 
not  consent  to  any  nominated  on  the  part  of  the  church. 
Hence,  w^e  failed  of  having  a  council ;  and  the  failure 
was  wholly  to  be  charged,  as  1  think,  upon  the  com- 
mittee of  the  town.  J  It  will  not  be  denied,  that  I 
manifested  a  strong  desire,  and  labored  long  and  earn- 
estly to  bring  about  an  agreement  between  the  two 
committees,  and  expressed  great  regret  when  I  found 
it  was    not  likely  to   obtain.     When  all  hope   of  an 

*  "  Although  it  was  supposed  by  the  church  and  me,  that  the  right  of  call- 
ing a  council  resided  properly  in  the  church  ;  yet  as  circumstances  were,  we 
thought  there  might  be  a  propriety  in  giving  the  town  a  voice  in  the  choice, 
and  we  wished  to  proceed  on  the  most  conciliatory  grounds." 

t  "  It  was  proposed  that  the  council  shouldconsist  of  five  churches;  hence, 
one  church  only  was  now  wanting." 

J  "  I  have  since,  indeed,  been  informed  by  some  of  the  town's  committee, 
that  they  had  no  intention  to  come  to  an  agreeuient  in  a  council,  upon  the 
proposed  principle,  u-lnrli  allowed  the  cliiirch,  i7i  its  propf^r  capacity,  apart  ni 
the  choice  ;  and  that  they  proceeded  as  far  as  they  did  in  the  business,  only 
to  make  trial,  as  they  expressed  it,  of  llie  condescension  of  the  church." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  319 

agrcomcMit  wa,s  extinc^nishod,  with  tlie  consent  of  the 
committee  ©f  the  cluncli,  I  luunh'd  to  the  town's  com- 
mittee a  pjiper,  of  which  the  following  is  ii  copy,  pre- 
sented to  the  town. 

'In  consequence  of  an  apj^lication  from  the  town  of 
Fitchburi2^,  throni^li  the  medium  of  a  conunittee,  ap- 
pointed to  conf(M*  with  me  relative  to  a  council  for  my 
dismission,  I  oiler  the  following  proposals. 

1.  A  council  shall  be  called  in  the  regular  ecclesi- 
astical maimer.  If  there  can  be  such  an  understand- 
ing between  the  town  and  the  chnrch,  as  that  the 
choice  of  the  council  may  be  satisfactory  to  the  town, 
it  will  be  a  circumstance  very  agreeable  to  me. 

2.  To  the  council  it  shall  be  submitted,  whether  it 
be  expedient  for  a  dismission  to  take  place  ;  and  if  it 
be,  upon  what  terms,  due  regard  being  had  to  the  con- 
tract. 

3.  If  any  allegations  are  to  be  brought  against  me 
before  the  council,  they  shall  be  fairly  exhibited  to  me, 
in  writing,  at  least  fourteen  days  prior  to  the  session 
of  the  council.  It  shall  be  particularly  understood, 
that  I  shrink  not  from  the  fullest  investigation  both  of 
my  sentiments  and  conduct.' 

Yet,  notwithstanding  all  which  had  l^een  said  and 
done,  at  the  very  meeting  at  which  these  proposals 
were  presented,  the  following  vote  was  passed  in  the 
town: — '  That  this  town  have  used  their  endeavors  to 
obtain  a  mutual  council,  agreeable  to  the  true  intent 
of  the  contract  entered  into  between  them  and  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Worcester,  as  expressed  in  the  same  contract, 
and  being  unable  to  obtain  the  same,  bi/  reason  of  his 
declension  or  refusal,  they  now  declare,  that  they  con- 
sider the  contract  for  his  support  dissolved,  and  that 
they  have  no  right  to,  nor  occasion  for  his  services,  as 
a  minister,  teacher,  or  public  instructor  in  this  town, 
and  that  they  have  a  right  to  employ  any  other  ))reach- 
er,  or  public  instructor,  whenever  the  town  shall  think 
it  proper  so  to  do.' 

After  the  passing  of  this  extraordinary  vote,  another 


320  MEMOIR    OF 

meeting  was  warned  upon  the  spot,  hut  at  least  half  an 
hour  posterior  to  the  time  appointed  for  it  t^  be  holden, 
at  which  votes  were  passed  for  debarring  me  from  the 
meeting-house,  and  appointing  a  committee  to  supply 
the  desk  with  candidates. 

These  transactions  of  the  town,  are  in  my  view,  so 
irregular  and  invalid,  that  I  should  have  supposed  it 
most  suitable  to  let  them  pass  away  in  silence,  were  it 
not  that  they  appear  to  be  seriously  and  zealously  ad- 
vocated, by  people  of  some  weight  and  influence.  The 
gentlemen  of  the  late  ex-parte  council,  in  particular, 
appear  to  be  deeply  interested  in  the  support  of  these 
measures.  Whether  they  were  previously  consulted 
respecting  them,  or  not,  it  is  a  matter  of  notoriety,  that, 
since  their  adoption,  some  of  these  gentlemen  have 
taken  a  very  decided  and  active  part,  with  the  promo- 
ters of  the  measures,  and  have  been  warmly  engaged 
to  assist  them  in  procuring  candidates.  It  is  not  with- 
out the  deepest  regret,  that  I  find  myself  obliged  to 
notice  anything  which  has  the  appearance  of  irregular- 
ity, in  the  conduct  of  gentlemen,  whose  characters  I 
have  have  been  accustomed  so  highly  to  respect  and 
revere  ;  and  the  part  which  they  have  taken  in  this 
business,  I  would  gladly  impute  to  erroneous  or  defec- 
tive information,  rather  than  to  the  influence  of  strong 
prejudice,  and  a  spirit  of  opposition  to  Calvinistic  doc- 
trine. However,  by  what  they  have  done,  they  have 
given  to  a  contest,  which  might  otherw^ise  have  been 
merely  local,  and  of  no  considerable  interest  to  the 
public,  a  very  unexpected  and  unhappy  extent. 

It  will  be  seen,  that  the  grand  point,  at  present  in 
dispute,  between  my  opposers  and  me,  is,  ivhether  a 
church,  in  its  proper  ecclesiastical  capacity,  have  a  right 
to  a  voice,  in  regard  to  the  dismission  of  a  minister. 
It  is  upon  the  assumed  principle,  that  a  church  has  no 
such  right,  that  my  opposers  have  proceeded  in  their 
late  transactions.  Because  I  did  not  consent  to  join 
with  them,  to  the  exclusion  of  the  church,  and  in  op- 
position to  it,  in  the  choice  of  a  council  for  my  dismis- 
sion, they  have  proceeded  to  pass  a  vote,  which  they 
profess  to  consider,  as  amounting  to  a  dismission.  But 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  321 

the  principle  here  assumed  is  so  repnc^nant  to  long  es- 
tablished usage,  so  hostile  to  all  religions  order,  and  so 
incompatible  with  the  nature  and  solemnity  of  the  pas- 
toral relation,  that  barely  stating  it  may  be  sullicient 
for  its  explosion. 

If  it  be  supposed,  that,  although  as  a  general  thing, 
a  town  cannot,  without  council  or  church,  dismiss  a 
regularly  ordained  minister ;  yet  the  terms  of  my  settle- 
ment are  such,  that,  in  the  present  instance,  they  may  ; 
the  supposition  must  be  totally  destitute  of  solid  foun- 
dation. The  terms  of  my  settlement,  instead  of  war- 
ranting such  a  procedure,  are  explicitly  against  it.  I 
was  called  and  ordained  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  this 
church  and  people,  in  the  usual  ecclesiastical  manner. 
In  my  call  and  ordination,  the  church  was  allowed  the 
exercise  of  its  proper  rights;  and  throughout  the  writ- 
ten terms  of  my  settlement,  the  church  is  explicitly  re- 
cognized. 

Possibly  it  will  be  said,  that  the  vote  of  the  town 
was  not  intended  to  dismiss  me  from  my  pastoral  rela- 
tion, but  only  to  dissolve  the  civil  contract.  While 
the  business  was  in  train,  it  was,  indeed,  the  constant 
declaration  of  my  opposers.  that  they  cared  nothing 
about  the  pastoral  relation,  and  had  nothing  to  do  with 
it;  a  dissolution  of  the  civil  contract  was  all  they 
wished  to  accomplish.  It  is,  also,  true,  that  the  vote 
of  the  town  makes  no  mention  of  the  pastoral  relation^ 
but  only  of  '  the  contract  for  my  support.^  And,  therefore, 
were  it  even  admitted,  that  the  town  has  a  right  with- 
out the  voice  of  churcli  or  council,  to  dismiss  me  from 
my  pastoral  office,  the  vote  in  question  could  hardly 
be  considered  as  effecting  such  a  dimission.  INIy  op- 
posers,  however,  do,  at  present,  pretend  to  consider 
me,  as  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  dismissed  by  that 
vote.  And  if  I  be  not  dismissed  from  my  pastoral  re- 
lation, with  what  propriety  can  the  gentlemen  of  the 
ex-parte  council  so  earnestly  recommend  it  to  candi- 
dates to  come  into  this  place  ?  Those  gentlemen  either 
consider  me  as  regularly  dismissed^  or  they  do  not.  If 
they  consider  me  as  regularly  dismissed,  then  they 
must  admit  the  new  and  absurd  doctrine,  that  a  town. 


322  MEMOIR    OP 

* 

exclusively  of  the  church,  can  dismiss  a  regularly  or- 
dained minister,  from  his  sacred  office.  If  they  do  not 
consider  me  as  regularly  dismissed,  I  must  leave  it 
with  them  to  reconcile  their  conduct  with  ecclesiasti- 
cal propriety  and  order. 

In  regard  to  '  the  contract  for  my  support,'  it  cannot, 
as  I  conceive,  be  dissolved,  by  an?/  vote  of  the  toivn,  so 
long  as  the  pastoral  relation  continues  ;  for  it  is  on  the 
basis  of  the  pastoral  relation,  that  the  civil  contract  is  ex- 
plicitly grovmded.  It  is  noticeable,  that  the  above  cited 
article  in  my  terms  of  settlement,  about  the  meaning 
of  which  there  is  a  disagreement  between  my  opposers 
and  me,  and  on  the  ground  of  which  they  pretend  to 
justify  their  late  proceedings,  makes  provision  for  a 
dismission  from  my  pastoral  relation,  but  none  for  a 
dissolution  of  the  contract  for  my  support.  But  in  re- 
gard to  this  contract,  the  first  and  last  articles  in  the 
terms  of  my  settlement  are  very  explicit.  The  first 
article  is  this, — '  That  Mr.  Worcester  be  settled  upon 
a  salary  only  for  his  support,  while  he  continues  with 
us  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  in  a  pastoral  relation.^ 
In  the  last  article  it  is  said, — '  In  case  Mr.  Worcester 
shall  take  his  dismission,  or  be  dismissed  from  his  min- 
isterial relation  to  the  church  and  people  of  Fitchburg^ 
THEN  the  civil  contract  shall  be  dissolved,''  i^c. 

Now,  without  further  comment,  I  submit  to  the 
judgment  of  the  candid  and  judicious,  whether  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  town  have  been  regular;  whether  the 
vote  particularly  under  consideration,  ought  to  be  con- 
sidered as  effecting,  either  a  dismission  from  my  pas- 
toral office,  or  a  dissolution  of  the  contract  for  my  sup- 
port ;  and,  finally,  whether  gentlemen  can  be  justified 
in  recommending  candidates  to  this  desk,  and  even 
coming'  themselves  to  lead  the  way  into  it. 

Although  it  may  be  a  given  point,  that  I  am  not 
regularly  dismissed,  and  that  the  contract  for  my  sup- 
port is  still  in  force ;  there  are  people,  I  am  sensible, 
who  will  nevertheless  blame  me,  for  continuing  in  this 
place  ;  and  impute  my  continuance  here,  to  obstinacy, 
to  a  disposition  for  contention,  or  at  least  to  impru- 
dence.    To  this  I  feel  deeply  concerned  to  reply.     Be 


SAMUEL     WORCESTER.  323 

my  character,  in  other  respects  what  it  may,  those  who 
have  known  me  best,  in  the  difl'erent  scenes  of  my  life, 
have  never  suspected  me,  I  believe,  of  possessing  a  dis- 
position for  contention.     Before  I  settled  in  the  minis- 
try, it  was    my  fixed  determination    never  to  have  a 
ministerial  contest  with  any  people,  if  it  could  possi- 
bly be  avoided  ;  but  to  take  a  dismission,  if  they  should 
desire  it,  as  soon,  as  consistently  with  duty  and  order, 
it   could  be   obtained.     In  that  determination  I  have 
since  remained  stedfast.     There  are  not  wanting  those, 
who  can  bear  me  witness,  that  some  time  anterior  to 
anything  done  in  this  town,  with  a  view  to  my  removal, 
as  there  was  very  considerable  uneasiness  manifested, 
and  the  spirit  of  party  contention^  which  had  for  years 
been  unliappily prevalent  in  this  place^  appeared  to  be  con- 
centrating its  force  against  me ;  I  had  it  in  serious  con- 
templation, to  ask  for  a  dismission,  that  I  might  avoid 
the   storm,   so  evidently  gathering.     But  from  this  I 
was  earnestly  dissuaded.     To  all  my  friends  it  is  well 
know^n,  that  from  the  moment  the  town  manifested  an 
intention  to  remove  me,  I  shrunk  with  horror  from  the 
thought  of  maintaining  a  contest,  and  was  resolved  to 
take  a  dismission,  as  soon  as  it  could  be  regularly  ob- 
tained.    This   was  so    manifest  to   this   church,  and 
made  so  strong  an  impression  on  their  minds,  that  they 
were  ready  to  suspect  me  of  not  having  a  proper  sense 
of  the  solemn  and  endearing  relation  to  them,  which  I 
sustained,  and  in   a  measure  to  withdraw  their  confi- 
dence, if  not  their  affection,  from  me.     To  the  council 
of  the  22d  of  June,  I  expressed  in  public,  and  more  espe- 
daily  in  a  private  audience^  my  desire  for  a  dismission, 
in  the  strongest  terms.     And  from  the  result  of  that 
council  it  must  be  sufficiently  evident,  that  they  were 
deeply  sensible,  that,  in  recommending  my  continuance 
here,  they  made  a  sacrifice  of  my  inclinations  and  per- 
sonal interest,  to  the  general,  and  infinitely  higher,  in- 
terests of  truth,  religion,  and  order. 

Ignorant,  indeed,  of  circumstances,  must  that  person 
be,  who  can  suppose  that  my  situation  in  this  place  is 
desirable  ;  or  that  I  can  have  any  inducements,  of  a 
private    or  worldly  nature,  to   continue  here.     I  have 


324  MEMOIR    OF 

not,  however,  felt  myself  at  liberty  to  sacrifice  the  es- 
sential interests  of  religion  and  order,  to  personal  ease, 
interest,  or  popularity :  and^  as  I  have  had  no  opportu- 
nity to  leave  this  place,  ivithout  such  a  sacrifice,  I  have 
felt  myself  bound  to  continue.  At  present  I  hold  my- 
self entirely  at  disposal.  If,  by  any  personal  sacrifices 
in  my  power  to  make,  whether  in  going  or  staying, 
union,  order,  and  peace  might  be  restored  to  this  peo- 
ple, on  Christian  principles,  it  would  be  a  consumma- 
tion of  the  most  ardent  wishes  of  my  heart. 
January  27, 1802." 

The  notes  accompanying  the  Result  of  the  Ex-parte 
Council  of  Sept.  15,  1801,  as  here  published,  will  in- 
dicate the  character  of  the  "  Strictures  ; "  but  the 
searching  operation  of  the  reviewer  is  but  partially  seen, 
in  such  abridgments  and  fragments  of  the  original.  In 
his  "  General  Observations,"  he  appears  to  great  ad- 
vantage. He  begins  with  the  remark  : — "  The  whole 
of  what  has  been  exhibited  shows,  we  think,  in  a  strong 
light,  the  present  lamentable  state  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Churches,  in  this  part  of  New  England."     This 

remark  he  enforces,  with  great  vigor  and  pungency. 

****** 

"  If  there  be  churches  and  ministers,  who,  symbol- 
ized completely  with  the  world,  and  determined  to 
reduce  all  others  to  their  own  level,  are  ready,  upon 
every  occasion,  to  combine  influence  and  effort  with 
those  who  are  without  and  with  the  disaffected  within, 
to  suppress  Gospel  order  and  discipline  ;  what  can  a 
single  church  do  ?  Do  ? — It  can  stand.  And  if  it  hold 
fast  and  be  faithful,  it  will  stand ;  for  God  will  hold  it 
up.  But  its  struggle  must  be  arduous  and  })ainful,  in- 
deed. An  open  enemy,  upon  his  own  ground,  is  but 
little  to  be  dreaded,  in  comparison  with  professed 
friends  and  allies,  within  the  lines,  who  in  the  hour  of 
battle  will  betray  the  cause,  and  join  the  hostile  stand- 
ard.    And  can  it  be,  ought  it  to  be  dissembled,  that, 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  325 

that  ill  the  present  state  of  thini^s,  a  church,  wliich 
wishes  to  maintain  tlie  ])nrity  and  order,  the  doctrine 
and  discipline  of  the  Gospel,  has  inlinitely  more  to  fear 
from  those,  irho^  occordin^'  to  profession^  oiii^ht  to  be 
more  tlian  conniion  friends  and  allies,  than  from 
the  whole  host  of  openly  avowed  inlidels,  and  all  the 
rest  of  the  world  combined. 

2.  The  nature  and  tendency  of  that  charity,  Cathol- 
icism, or  liberality  of  sentiment,  at  the  present  so  pop- 
ular, are  here  made  manifest. 

The  ancient  story  of  Falsehood  having  stolen  the 
attire  of  Truth,  is  more  than  a  mere  fable.  It  has  ever 
been  the  artifice  of  error  and  corru))tion  to  palm  them- 
selves upon  the  too  easily  deceived  world,  under  the 
cover  of  names  of  fair  and  flattering  import.  What 
more  captivating  names  than  charity,  Catliolicism,  lib- 
erality ?  How^  melodious  their  accent  to  every  ear  ? 
These  are  the  favorite  names  of  the  day — the  present 
boast  of  the  world.  Calvinists  and  Hopkinsians  aside, 
the  rest  of  the  world,  if  credit  be  due  to  common  fame, 
are  all  united  in  the  bonds  of  sweetest  charitv.  But 
what  is  this  popular  thing  called  charity  ?  Shall  we 
be  charged  with  profanation,  if  we  venture  to  lift  the 
veil,  and  show  it,  naked,  in  its  true  form  ? 

'  It  is  no  matter  what  any  one  believes,  or  what  he 
does  not  believe  ;  if  his  religious  opinions  be  such  as 
to  satisfy  himself,  others  ought  to  be  satisfied.  If,  'as 
a  member  of  civil  society,  his  character  appear  to  be 
fair,' that  is  sufficient ;  and  he  ought  to  be  acknowl- 
edged and  embraced,  as  a  good  man  and  a  Christian, 
without  further  inquiry.  This  is  the  prevailing  senti- 
ment. This  the  popular  charity.  Any  one  who  ad- 
mits this,  is  a  charitable  and  liberal  man  ;  any  one 
who  does  not,  is  an  uncharitable,  illiberal  bigot.  But 
is  this  indeed — charity?  Is  this  the  lovely  thing  de- 
scribed by  the  pen  of  an  apostle,  as  the  most  '  excel- 
lent' of  the  Christian  graces  ?  Is  it  '  the  peculiar  char- 
acteristic of  the  disciples  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus,' 
is  it  the  perfection  of  Christianity,  to  regard  all  reli- 
gious sentiments,  or  doctrines,  with  indiilerency,  or 
equal  com])lacency  ?  If  so,  then  the  less  we  esteem 
28 


326  MEMOIR    OF 

the  Gospel,  the  less  attachment  we  have  to  it,  the  bet- 
ter Christians  we  are.  To  esteem  any  other  doctrine 
as  good  as  the  true  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  ;  or,  in 
other  words,  to  feel  totally  indifferent,  respecting  Chris- 
tianity, is  the  consummation  of  the  Christian  charac- 
ter! How  much  to  be  regi'ctted  it  is,  that  the  primi- 
tive confessors  and  martyrs  did  not  better  understand 
the  genius  of  Christianity !  What  a  pity  that  they 
were  so  illiberal  and  uncharitable,  as  to  think  no  other 
way  as  good  as  their  own  ;  so  bigoted  as  to  seal  the 
doctrines,  in  which  ///^'^  believed,  with  their  blood? 
How  emphatically  just,  though  in  a  sense,  different, 
perhaps,  from  what  has  generally  been  conceived,  are 
the  words  of  St.  Paul  ? — '  Tliovg'h  I  give  my  body  to  be 

burned^  and  have  not  charity^  it  profiteth  me  fiothing-J  * 

****** 

Is  it  not  deeply  to  be  lamented  that  this  absurd  and 
wicked  thing,  this  first-born  of  infidelity  and  scepti-* 
cism,  should  be  allowed  to  bear  off  the  name,  and  to 
occupy  the  place  of  the  first  of  Christian  graces  ? 
Among  all  the  pernicious  sentiments  now  prevailing 
in  the  world,  is  there  one  more  preposterous  in  its  na- 
ture, or  more  mischievous  in  its  tendency,  than  the 
sentiment  under  consideration  ?  " 

On  the  subject  of  the  "  communion  of  the  churches," 
after  a  summary  view  of  "the  primitive  churches  of 
New  England,"  as  having  both  their  "platform  of  doc- 
trine "  and  "  their  platform  of  discipline,"  and  a  "  gen- 
eral agreement  in  doctrine,  as  well  as   discipline,"  for 

*  "  It  is  a  very  common  ihing-  for  people  who,  for  certain  reasons,  choose 
to  be  ihonghl  friendly  to  Ccilvinif^m.  to  rai.-e  aloud  and  bitter  cry  asainst 
Ilop/iijisiaj/s  and  HopkijisiayiisTii  ;  when  in  trulli,  \\.\^  tlie  fuiidamejital  doc- 
trines of  the  Calvinistic  scheme  again^t  which  their  enmity  and  their  clamor 
is  directed.  This  is,  in  some  instances,  the  ynhtake,  in  others,  the  artifice  of 
the  age  The  genuine  doctrines  of  the  Calvinian  system  are  called  by  the 
fnghiful  name  o{'  Ilupki^isiavism,  and  llio>e  who  hold  to  tlie>e  doctrnies.  are 
called  Hopkivsiaiis ;  while  those  who  are  totally  oppost-d  to  the  verv  linida- 
rnentalt  of  Calvinism,  as>nme  and  btar  off  tiie  more  popular  name  of  Calvin- 
ists.  They  call  themselves,  indeed,  wo^/^-rtfie  or  w<o</e/?t  C(ih'/ii/xt.s,  But.  as 
people  should  not  be  deceived  by  names,  would  Ihev  not  do  well  <arcfully  to 
consider,  whether  many,  if  not  the  most,  ot"  those,  who  novvassunie  the  name 
of  nivderatc^  or  modern  CafvDiists,  he  not,  in  reality, /l/;«/?tia7is, — or  rather 
Arians,  or  Socinians^  or  even  Umversalisls,  m  disguise  ?" 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  327 

"the basis  on  wbicli  Ihclr  communion  was  established," 
it  is  adirmed  to  be  "  worthy  of  serious  consideration, 
whether  the  present  nominal  feUowship  of  these 
churches,  be  not  upon  a  footing  totally  unscriptural 
and  indefensible  I" 

"  If  churches  be  at  total  disagreement  with  respect 
both  to  ecclesiastical  order  and  discipline,  and  to  the 
very  fundamentals  of  Christian  doctrine,  is  there  any 
proper  foundation  for  communion  ?  And  is  there  not 
such  a  disagreement,  actually  existing  among  Congre- 
gational churches  ? 

That  the  churches  are  widely  diverse,  in  regard  both 
to  doctrine  and  discipline,  is  a  fact  no  less  notorious, 
than  melancholy.  It  is  equally  notorious,  that  the 
grand  line  of  distinction  is  between  those  churches, 
which  hold  to  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  gospel, 
as  understood  by  Calvinists,  and  those  which  deny 
them  :  Or,  in  other  words,  between  churches  funda- 
mentally Calvinistlc,  and  those  upon  the  Ario-Armin- 
ian,  or  Socinian  scheme.  On  each  side  of  this  line, 
there  may  be,  and  doubtless  are,  different  shades  of 
opinion,  respecting  points  of  less  consequence,  but  not 
of  a  fundamental  nature.  But  are  not  Calvinism,  and 
Ario-Arminianism  essentially  diverse? 

According  to  the  Calvinian  scheme,  the  doctrine  of 
the  total  moral  depravity  of  human  nature,  and  of  re- 
generation, by  the  sovereign  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
the  doctrine  of  the  real  Deity  of  the  Redeemer,  and  of 
justification  on  the  ground^  exclusively^  of  his  atonement 
and  righteousness^  and  the  doctrine  of  personal  election 
to  salvation,  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit  and 
belief  of  the  truth,  lie  in  the  very  foundation  of  the 
gospel  scheme.  But  by  Ario-Arminians  and  Socin- 
ians  these  Cardinal  doctrines  are  all  rejected.  Through- 
out the  fundamentals  of  the  gospel,  almost,  if  not 
totally,  what  we  affirm,  they  deny.  If,  therefore,  the 
doctrines,  holden  by  Calvinists,  be  the  true  gospel;  are 
not  Arianism  and  Socinianism  completely  'another 
gospel  V — And  are  not  the  churches,  on  these  two  dif- 


328  MEMOIR    OF 

ferent  schemes,  almost  as  diverse,  in   regard  to  discip- 
line, as  in  regard  to  doctrine  ? 

Where,  then,  is  there  any  proper  or  solid  basis  for 
fellowship?  '  What  communion  hath  light  with  dark- 
ness V  If  visible  communion  be,  indeed,  maintained, 
between  churches  so  totally  div^erse ;  can  there  be  the 
exercise  of /r^/e  Christian  fe/loivship  ?  Is  not  Xh\s  visible 
communion  a  mere  shadow  ?  And  if  so  ;  what  sub- 
stantial good  can  there  be  in  it?  Of  what  benefit 
can  it  be  to  maintain  the  form  of  communion,  where 
there  is  no  re  alii//  ? 

That  a  strict  and  cordial  union  and  communion 
might  obtain  among  the  churches  of  Christ,  is  certainly 
*  a  consummation  most  devoutly  to  be  wished.'  At 
all  times,  and  especially,  in  times  of  abounding  in- 
fidelity, like  the  present,  it  is  of  high  importance,  that 
aU  the  friends  of  the  gospel,  waving  their  little  differ- 
ences, should  draw  together,  into  close  and  firm 
phalanx,  in  defence  and  support  of  the  common  cause. 
This  was,  unquestionably,  one  main  design  of  the  con- 
sociation and  communion  of  the  Congregational 
churches,  originally  established.  It  was  intended  that 
these  churches  should  mutually  strengthen  each  other's 
hands,  unite  their  efforts  in  the  cause  of  truth  and 
religion,  and  assist  each  other  in  the  maintenance  of 
evang-elical  order  and  discipline.  But  how  are  these 
important  purposes  to  be  answered,  by  the  professed 
communion  of  Calvinistic,  w^th  Ario-Arminian  and 
Socinian  churches?  Do  Arians  and  Socinians  really 
strengthen  our  hands  against  the  adversaries  of  the 
gospel  ?  Do  they  aid  us  in  support  of  the  cause  of 
evangelical  truth  and  religion  ;  and  in  the  maintenance 
of  ecclesiastical  order  and  discipline  ?  Do  they  not 
rather  hang  as  a  dead  weight  upon  our  efforts? 

What  can  truth  gain  by  an  alliance  with  error?  Is 
it  not  manifest,  that  by  such  an  alliance,  the  cause  of 
truth  is  always  weakened,  and  the  cause  of  error 
strengthened  ?  In  one  word,  is  not  the  ])resent,  indis- 
criminate communion  of  these  churches  a  snare  and  a 
trap  ?  Does  it  not  bind  Calvinistic  churches,  hand  and 
foot,  and  give  their  adversaries  the   greatest  possible 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  329 

advnnln^o  ac^ainRt  Ihom  ?  WIkmi  Mho  adversaries  of 
Judah  and  l^ciijainiii  came  to  Zenil)l)al)ul,  and  to  the 
chief  of  the  fathers,  and  said  unto  them,  Let  us  build 
until  you^for  we  seek  your  God^  as  ye  do  f  was  not  the 
answer  mac:nanimons,  and  full  of  instruction,  '  Ye  have 
not li it/a;'  to  do  with  ns  to  build  an  house  unto  our  God; 
hut  we  ourselves  together  ivill  build  unto  the  Lord  God 
of  Israel  r* 

4.  If  such,  as  has  been  exiiibited,  be  the  state  of 
things  in  the  churches,  is  it  not  important,  that  some 
attempt  be  made  for  a  reformation? 

Is  it  not  of  the  highest  consequence  to  the  great  in- 
terests of  Christ's  kingdom,  that  gospel  order  and  dis- 
cipline be  maintained  in  the  churches?  Are  not  the 
churches  '  a  city  set  upon  an  hilt?^  Are  they  not  de- 
sign(Kl  to  be  '•the  light  of  the  worlds — the  salt  of  the 
earth., — the  ground  and  pillar  of  the  truth.  ?'  How  exten- 
sively pernicious,  then,  must  be  the  effects  and  conse- 
quences of  their  general  laxity  and  corruption  ?  If  the 
city  upon  the  hill  be  corrupt ;  what  is  to  be  expected, 
but  that  unbounded  corruption  will  spread  all  around 
it?  If  the  light  of  the  Avorld  become  darkness  ;  ^  how 
great  must  be  that  darkness  ?'  If  the  salt  of  the  earth 
lose  its  savor,  'wherewithal  shall  it  be  salted;'  or 
what  shall  preserve  it  from  total  putrescence  and  dis- 
solution ?  If  the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  truth  be 
overborne  and  carried  down  in  the  torrent  of  error; 
what  shall  withstand,  or  hold  in  check,  the  wi^le- 
spreading  inundation  ?  Is  there  any  thing,  in  fine, 
which  bears  so  threatening  an  aspect,  on  the  general 

*  "  Ts  it  not  worthy  of  serious  consideration,  that,  in  rearard  \o  communion, 
Calvinistic  churches  do  not  stand  on  even  jjround  with  Arian  and  Socinian 
churches?  As  Arians  and  Socinians  totally  deny  experimtiital  rtdgion ,  and 
professedly  rejrard  it  as  a  mailer  of  iiiclili'erency  what  people's  religious 
opinions  are ;  they  may,  wilh  great  propriety,  exteud  their  conimunion  to 
Calvini.stic  churches,  unless,  indeed,  the  members  of  Calvinislic  churches  be 
scand.i!ou<ly  immoral.  But  as  Calvinisls  believe  in  experimental  religion, 
and  professedly  make  the  visibility  of  it  a  term  of  admission  to  their  churches  ; 
with  what  propriety  can  they  extend  communion  to  such  churches  as  totally 
disown  and  discard  it?  If  Calvinislic  churches,  in  the  admission  of  members, 
go  on  llie  principle  of  receiving  such  only  as  give  evidence  of  being  the  sub- 
jects of  a  gracious  renovation  ;  with  what  consistency  can  they  extend  com- 
munmu  to  churches,  which  not  only  do  not  profess  to  go  on  this  principle, 
but  even  dtiiy  the  necessity  and  reality  uj'suck  a  change  .'*" 

28* 


830  MEMOIR    OF 

cause  of  Christianity,  as  the  present  siipineness,  and 
laxity  of  the  churches  ?  Infidelity,  indeed,  is  spreading 
with  awful  rapidity,  and  errors  of  the  most  licentious 
tendency,  together  with  their  consequent  depravation 
of  morals,  are  extensively  prevailing.  Still,  what  should 
we  have  to  fear  from  the  abounding  of  infidelity  and 
error,  with  all  their  hideous  concomitants,  did  only  the 
churches  hold  fast  the  faithful  word,  maintain  the  order 
and  discipline  of  the  gospel,  display  that  evangelical 
purity,  which  ought  to  characterize  the  visible  body  of 
Christ,  and  stand  together,  as  'an  army  with  banners,' 
in  defence  and  support  of  the  common  cause  ?  But  if 
the  professed  churches  of  Christ,  instead  of  making  a 
firm  stand,  and  maintaining  their  proper  gi'ound,  treach- 
erously, or  pusillanimously,  desert  the  cause,  meet  and 
shake  hands  with  the  enemy,  and  accommodate,  in  all 
respects,  to  their  wishes,  what  have  we  not  to  fear  ? 

But,  even  in  this  age  of  declension  and  corruption, 
are  there  not  some,  are  there  not  many  churches,  which 
feel  the  importance  of  contending  earnestly  for  the 
faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  and  of  maintaining 
the  divinely  prescribed  order  and  discipline  of  Christ's 
house?  And,  if  there  be  such,  is  it  not  of  high  im- 
portance, that  they  '  come  ont^  and  be  separate^  and 
touch  710  more  the  unclean  thing  V  Is  it  not  important, 
that  a  general  understanding  should  take  place  among 
them,  and  that  measures  should  be  taken  to  consoli- 
date their  union,  and  to  combine  and  animate  their 
Christian  exertions  ;  that  the  whole  body,  being  fitly 
joined  together  and  compacted,  may  increase  unto  the 
edifying  of  itself  in  love,  in  faith  and  in  gospel  order  ? 

It  is  not  our  business,  doubtless,  neither  do  we  feel 
ourselves  competent  to  prescribe  what  ought  to  be 
done  ;  but  that  something  ought  to  be  done,  we  sensibly 
feel.  We  have  assurance,  also,  that  in  this  sentiment 
we  are  not  alone.  We,  therefore,  beg  leave,  with  diffi- 
dence to  suggest,  whether  the  existing  state  of  things 
does  not  require  the  convocation  of  a  general  synod  of 
Calvinistic  churches,  to  consult  and  determine  upon 
such  measures,  as  it  may  be  suitable  to  recommend, 
for  their  common  support  and  sccmity,   and  for  the 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  331 

promoti(Mi,  gcncrnlly,  of  evangelical  Inilli,  order,  and 
diseipline." 

Such  was  the  state  of  the  Calvinistic  Clnirclies  "  in 
this  part  of  New  England,"  at  the  beginning  of  the 
present  century,  that  great  benefits  might  have  resulted 
from  the  "  Convocation,"  which  was  thus  suggested, 
or  recommended.  But  the  main  object  was  in  a  good 
measure  accomplished.  The  appeal  of  the  church  and 
pastor  of  Fitchburg  went  out,  far  and  wide,  and,  in 
many  places,  must  have  caused  "great  searchings  of 
heart."  And  the  day  was  hastened,  by  some  years  at 
least,  when  the  churches,  which  "the  fathers  "  would 
own,  stood  forth  in  their  true  position,  and  ^'  churches  ^^ 
were  ''^gathered  out  of  churches,''^  to  the  glory  of  the 
"  Great  God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ ;  who  gave 
himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all 
iniquity,  and  purify  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people, 
zealous  of  good  works." 

Various,  but  ineflfectual  means  were  used  by  the 
church,  to  induce  those  of  their  brethren,  who  were 
repeatedly  "  dissatisfied,"  to  unite  in  calling  a  mutual 
council,  to  be  composed  of  members,  who  had  not  been 
in  either  of  the  councils  of  June  and  September  pre- 
vious, and  who  should  take  cognizance  of  every  matter 
in  dispute  ;  those  who  had  been  cut  off,  or  otherwise 
disciplined,  being  allowed  a  full  representation  of  their 
complaints,  through  "the  dissatisfied  brethren."  These 
were  but  very  few.  And  they  would  not  agree  to  any 
proposals  for  a  mutual  council,  unless  the  excommuni- 
cants  should  have  a  voice  in  choosing  the  council,  and 
be  recognized  in  their  own  persons,  precisely,  or  vir- 
tually, as  if  the  church  had  not  adjudicated  upon  their 
cases.  It  was,  moreover,  insisted,  "  that  Mr.  Worces- 
ter shall  take  a  dismission  from  his  church."     To  this 


332  MEMOIR    OF 

last  condition,  he  himself  had  not  the  slightest  objec- 
tion, except  that  which  arose  from  the  wishes  of  his 
friends. 

Feb.  16,  1802,  the  Chm'ch  voted  to  call  a  Council 
for  advice.  The  Council  met,  during  the  month  fol- 
lowing, and  spent  ten  days  in  deliberation. — A  most 
thorough  hearing  was  given  to  all  persons,  who  had 
any  statements  or  accusations  to  make.  Such  pastors 
as  Emmons,  of  Franklin,  Spring,  of  Newburyport,  San- 
ford,  of  Medway,  and  Payson,  of  Rindge,  were  mem- 
bers of  this  Council.  The  Result,  March  19th,  entire- 
ly vindicated  the  pastor  and  the  church,  against  all 
imputations  and  complaints,  and  with  expressions  of 
the  most  affectionate  sympathy,  ratified  their  doings. 
While  they  declined  taking  the  responsibility  of  con- 
curring in  the  proposal  of  the  pastor  to  resign  his 
charge,  they  were  in  favor  of  a  reference  of  all  matters 
in  controversy  to  a  mutual  council,  if  by  any  means 
such  a  council  could  be  had  ;  it  being  understood, 
that  at  the  time  of  the  session  of  such  a  council,  the 
pastoral  relation  would  be  dissolved.* 

Another  Ex  parte  Council,  by  request  of  "  the  dis- 
satisfied," was  in  session  at  the  same  time.  It  was 
the  same  in  leading  members  and  spirit,  as  that  of  the 
previous  September.  And  the  Result,  as  in  the  for- 
mer instance,  was  w^ell  devised  to  "make  the  hearts  of 
the  righteous  sad,"  by  "  strengthening  the  hands  of  the 
wicked."  "  We  offer  them,"  i.  e.  the  excommunicated^ 
"  the  privilege   of  christian  communion  with  us,  and 

*  Some  amusing:,  as  well  as  painful  incidents  occurred.  One  of  the  most 
influential  c-itizens  and  an  active  opposer  of  the  church,  was  questioned  by 
the  Council,  respecting  his  motives  in  signing  the  "  Universalian  Compact." 
After  disclaiming  some  motives,  he  said,  that  he  "was  for  love  and  good- 
will to  all  men." — "  How  happened  it,  then,"  inquired  Rev.  Mr.  Sanford, 
"  that  you  should  overlook  Mr.  Worcester?'" 


SAMUEL    AVORCESTER.  333 

recommoiid  Ihciii   to  the  fcUowrihip  of  sistor  church- 


es." 


March  26th,  the  Church  made  another  and  very 
special  attempt,  in  terms  the  most  kind  and  concilia- 
tory, to  eflect,  if  possibk),  a  settlement  of  all  dillicul- 
ties.  A  mutual  council  was  again  jiroposed,  the  dis- 
satisfied brethreu  choosing  the  same  number  of  mem- 
bers of  it,  as  the  Church,  and  both  parties  to  unite 
in  choosing,  or  in  referring  the  choice  of  "the  odd 
church,"  by  which  a  majority  might  be  made  for  a 
Result. 

After  hearing  the  Report  of  their  Committee  of 
conference  with  the  dissatisfied,  the  Church  voted, 
April  Slst, — "that  there  is  no  prospect  of  obtaining  a 
mutual  council  with  our  dissatisfied  brethren,  on 
christian  principles ;  that  we  have  conceded  as  far  as 
in  duty  we  can  do  ;  and  have  no  farther  proposals  to 
make  in  regard  to  a  council." — "  The  dissatisfied,"  as 
they  were  assured  most  kindly  and  truly,  could  avail 
themselves  of  all  the  aid,  which  "the  excommunicated" 
might  aflbrd  them,  in  preparing  business  for  the  coun- 
cil. But  to  acknowledge  "  the  excommunicated,"  as 
if  members  in  regular  standing,  was  impossible. 

It  was  now,  as  the  pastor  conceived,  better  for  him 
and  for  the  people,  that,  having  thus  far  maintained 
the  cause  of  the  Church,  and  the  rights  and  interests 
of  the  Congregational  churches  generally,  he  should 
close  his  ministry  among  them,  and  bid  them  farewell. 
But  the  Church,  by  a  great  majority,  icould  not  con- 
sent  to  paTt  with  a  pastor,  whom  they  so  loved  and 
revered.  A  numerous  portion  of  the  congregation 
also  adhered  to  him,  in  a  manner  mutually  honorable. 
Hence  he  was,  at  times,  in  a  most  distressing  and 
harassing  perplexity.     But,  in  general,  he  was  quietly 


.334  MEMOIR    OF 

waiting  the  clear  and  decisive  indications  of  the  will 
of  Providence. 

Rev.  Leonard  Worcester. 

"  Fitchburg-,  May  21,  1802. 
My  dear  brother, — 

I,  this  evening,  received  your  very  grateful  favor  of 
the  24th  ult.,  and  as  I  received  at  the  same  time  in- 
formation, that  my  father  expects  to  set  out  on  a  tour 
to  the  northward  next  Monday  morning,  I  cannot  con- 
tent myself  without  writing  you  a  line,  although  at  a 
late  and  weary  hour.     *     *     * 

As  to  the  result  of  our  late  council,  my  father  will 
be  able  to  give  you  full  information.  They  left  me 
still  in  the  ^  thorn  hedg-e,''  and  whether  I  shall  ever  be 
extricated  from  it,  until  removed  from  this  sublunary 
scene,  is  at  present  very  doubtful.  A  plan  is  in  pro- 
gress for  the  support  of  the  Gospel  here,  without  an 
assessment  on  the  town.  It  evidently  strikes  the  op- 
position with  dismay,  and  perplexes  their  councils. 
What  will  be  the  issue,  I  hardly  dare  to  predict ;  but 
the  hopes  of  my  friends  are  high. — Is  it  owing,  my 
brother,  to  insensibility,  to  a  stoical  apathy,  that  I  can 
so  easily  reconcile  myself  to  scenes  and  circumstances, 
which  I  once  thought  I  could  never  endure  ?  If  it  be 
not;  it  it  be  owing  to  a  temper,  disciplined  in  the 
school  of  Christ,  O  may  I  never  lose  this  temper,  nor 
cease  to  give  praise  to  Him  who  gave  it  I 

I  regret,  that  I  have  not  on  hand  one  of  my  books,  in 
full  binding,  to  send  you,  but  such  as  I  can  send,  you 
will  be  pleased  to  accept.  I  have  this  day  been  in- 
formed, that  Dr.  Cumings  is  preparing  an  answer  to  it. 
The  answer  I  wish  to  see.  Shall  I  be  able  to  main- 
tain a  controversy  with  the  Dr.  ?  The  cause,  I  believe, 
is  good  ;  and  standing  on  the  ground  I  do,  I  have  but 
little  dread  even  of  Dr.  Cumings.* 

*  There  was  a  pamphlet  published,  but  Dr.  W.  never  deemed  it  worthy 
of  any  reply.     It  is  noticed  in  the  Monthly  Anthology,  Dec.  Ib04. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  335 

Our  most  afTectionato  regards  to  our  doar  sister,  and 
your  lovely  little  eliildren.  When  at  the  throne  of 
mercy,  you  will  not  forget 

Your  very  all'ectionate  friend  and  brother, 

Samuel   Worcester." 

The  "  plan  "  suggested  in  the  foregoing,  gave  occa- 
sion for  a  formal  offer  by  the  pastor,  to  relinquish  the 
contract  for  his  support;  with  a  request  that  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  town  should  be  appointed,  to  arrange 
with  him  for  a  settlement  of  all  arrearages.  But  the 
offer  was  not  accepted,  because,  undoubtedly,  his  op- 
posers  could  not  be  pacified,  so  long  as  he  should  re- 
tain a  pastoral  charge  in  the  town. 

Still  another  Ex  parte  Council,  in  opposition  to  the 
Church  and  pastor,  was  convened  the  24th  of  June. 
In  anticipation  of  proceedings  to  recognize  "  the  ex- 
communicated "  and  others,  as  a  church,  or  rather  as 
the  church  of  the  town,*  a  Committee  was  appointed 
to  present  a  remonsti'ance.  During  the  session  of  the 
Council,  the  Committee  renewed  the  proposal  of 
March  26th.  It  was  now  accepted.  A  mutual  coun- 
cil was  agreed  upon,  and  the  pastor  was  dismissed, 
Sept.  8th. 

Thus,  notwithstanding  the  votes  of  the  town,  divid- 
ing the  house  of  worship  between  different  societies, 
with  the  reiterated  threats  of  the  "  Universal  Christian 
Society,"  to  take  possession  of  his  pulpit,  for  the  num- 
ber of  Sabbaths  allowed  them ;  and  notwithstanding 

*  The  probable  course  would  have  been,  to  recognize  those  as  the  church 
of  Fitchburg,  however  (aw  in  number,  wiio  would  signify  their  adoption  of 
the  covenant,  which  had  been  superceded  by  "the  new  form."  It  was 
thus,  sul)^itantially,  that  an  extraordinary  attempt  was  made,  in  1S17,  to 
fabricate  a  church  for  the  town  of  Princeton, — Drs.  Bancroft  and  Thayer 
taking  the  lead  in  the  movement.  See  "  Review  of  the  Result  of  an  Eccle- 
siastical Council,"  &;c.     Pan.  and  Miss.  ]\lag.,  June  1S17. 


336  MEMOIR    OF 

the  vote,  explicitly  declaring  "  the  conti-act  for  his  sup- 
port dissolved  " — with  other  measures,  of  a  correspond- 
ing character, — he  retained  his  pulpit  to  the  last,  and 
received  his  salary,  according  to  the  terras  of  his  set- 
tlement, until,  in  due  order  and  form,  and  agreeably  to 
his  own  wishes,  he  ceased  to  be  the  pastor  of  the 
church  and  the  minister  of  the  town  of  Fitchburg  ! 

A  very  large  assembly,  composed  of  friends  and 
foes  of  the  Gospel  and  the  preacher,  from  all  parts  of 
Fitchburg  and  the  neighboring  towns,  was  convened, 
to  hear  the  Farewell,  which  was  delivered,  Aug.  29, 
1802.  Expectations  were  of  course  various,  but  they 
were  intense  in  all.  It  has  been  represented  as  an  in- 
describably solemn  and  sorrowful  scene — especially  in 
the  afternoon, — when  the  different  classes  of  his  hearers 
were  so  directly  and  personally  addressed.  No  faith- 
ful minister  of  the  Crucified  could  ever  have  an- 
nounced for  his  text,  with  a  more  significant  and  af- 
fectionate, godly  sincerity, — those  words,  which  he 
cited  from  the  farewell  address  of  Paul,  at  Miletus  : 
For  I  have  not  shunned  to  declare  unto  you  all  the 
counsel  of  God.     Acts  xx.  27. 

After  explaining,  in  his  best  manner, — "  what  is  in- 
cluded in  a  full  and  faithful  declaration  of  the  Gospel," 
he  showed,  that,  "  for  the  ministers  of  Christ  to  make  " 
such  a  "  declaration,"  is  "  highly  "  and  "  infinitely  im- 
portant ;  as  it  respects  those,  to  ivhom  they  are  sent — 
as  it  respects  the  divine  kingdom  and  glonj — and  as  it 
respects  themselves.''^  In  the  "  Improvement,"  he  re- 
marked, 1.  "  The  preaching  of  the  Gospel  ought  to  be 
regarded  by  all,  as  a  most  solemn  and  important  work. 
*  *  *  *  2.  It  is  of  very  great  importanqe  for  people 
cordially  to  embrace  the  true  doctrines   of  the  Gospel. 


«  «  *  « 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  337 

We  cannot,  ])orliaps,  conceive  a  greater  absurdity, 
than  to  suppose  that  a  man's  religious  oj)inions  do  not 
affect  his  religious  character;  or  that  Ikj  may  be  a 
good  Christian,  and  yet  not  believe  in  the  doctrines  of 
Christ.  A  man's  o))inions  will  always,  in  a  greater  or 
less  degree,  inlluence  his  conduct,  and  shape  his  char- 
acter ;  and,  if  his  religious  opinions  be  fundamentally 
erroneous,  his  religious  character  must  be  essentially 
defective.  If  a  man  believe,  thy-t  he  may  place  some 
dependence,  for  acceptance  with  God  and  eternal  life, 
on  his  own  merit  or  goodness,  how  can  he  have  that 
exclusive  dependence  on  the  merits  of  the  Redeemer, 
which  the  Gospel  declares  necessary  to  salvation  ? 
If  a  man  disbelieve  the  depravity  of  the  human  heart, 
and  the  necessity  of  regeneration,  will  he  not  suppose 
an  external  reformation  sufficient,  and  seek  for  nothing 
further  ?  But  if  a  real  change  of  heart  be  necessary 
to  salvation,  must  it  not  be  dangerous,  must  it  not  be 
fatal,  for  a  man  to  suppose  his  state  to  be  good,  and, 
accordingly,  place  himself  at  ease,  while  the  subject 
only  of  an  external  reformation  ?  If  a  man  believe 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  be  only  a  mere  creature,  can 
he  repose  that  ultimate,  unlimited  trust  in  him,  and 
render  him  that  homage  and  worship,  which  the  Gos- 
pel requires  ?  Is  it,  in  a  word,  a  matter  of  indiffer- 
ence, whether  we  believe  the  Savior  of  the  world  to  be 
very  God,  or  only  a  mere  creature,  and  treat  him  ac- 
cordingly ? 

Some  people  believe,  that,  without  evangelical  re- 
pentance, faith,  and  holiness  of  heart  and  life,  we  must 
die  without  hope,  and  be  miserable  for  eternity. 
Others  suppose,  that,  however  irreligiously,  or  vicious- 
ly, we  may  live  in  this  world,  we  shall  certainly  be 
happy  in  the  world  to  come.  Now,  is  it  of  no  conse- 
quence which  of  these  opposite  opinions  we  entertain? 
Is  our  belief  of  the  one,  or  the  other,  likely  to  have  no 
influence  on  our  conduct  or  character  ?"**** 

3.     It  is  infinitely  important,  that  people  choose  for 

themselves  a   minister,  who  will  faithfully  declare  all 

the  counsel  of  God. 

29 


338  MEMOIR    OF 

In  illustrating  this  topic,  "  two  or  three  general 
characters  for  contemplation"  were  "presented," 
w^hich  were  quite  3.s particular,  as  general;  and  which 
may  now  be  taken  as  veritable  and  life-like  portraits 
of  the  Congregational  clergy  of  Massachusetts,  at  the 
beginning  of  this  19th  century. 

"  Catholicus  has  the  charge  of  a  people,  in  the  pro- 
fessed character  of  a  christian  minister.  But  Catholi- 
cus has  imbibed  the  liberal  notions  of  the  age.  Re- 
garding it  as  a  matter  of  no  consequence,  what  people 
believe,  he  inculcates  no  doctrines  as  important;  but 
if  he  exhibit  any  doctrine,  distinctly,  he  is  careful  to 
leave  an  impression  on  the  minds  of  his  people,  that, 
if  they  believe  it,  it  is  ^vell,  if  not,  as  well.  Those, 
who  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to 
the  saints,  he  represents  as  rigid  and  bigoted.  Con- 
cealing, or  disguising,  his  own  religious  sentiments, 
if,  indeed,  he  have  any,  he  uses  no  endeavors  to  indoc- 
trinate his  people.  His  public  discourses  are  mere 
moral  lectures,  or  popular  harangues,  in  which  the  pe- 
culiar doctrines  of  the  Gospel  are  either  winked  out 
of  sight,  or  only  brought  into  view  to  show,  that  they 
are  either  false,  controvertible,  or  of  no  importance. 
Such  is  the  ministerial  character  of  Catholicus.  He 
is  a  popular  man,  and  the  world  loves  and  caresses 
him. 

Cephas  is,  also,  a  minister  of  the  Gospel ;  but  of  a 
character  somewhat  different  from  Catholicus.  Be- 
lieving truth  to  be  important,  he  views  with  concern 
the  prevalence  of  errors,  subversive  of  the  Gospel,  and 
ruinous  to  the  eternal  interests  of  mankind.  But, 
knowing  the  pure  doctrines  of  Christ  to  be  unpopular, 
and  the  faithful  preaching  of  them,  likely  to  incur 
odium  and  reproach,  he  excuses  himself  from  the  un- 
grateful task.  If  he  preach  particular  doctrines,  it  is 
in  a  manner,  so  general  and  undistinguisliing,  that 
his  people  shall  not  clearly  understand  what  he  means  ; 
and  some,  which  are  more  peculiarly  offensive  and  un- 
popular, he  keeps  totally  out  of  sight.     Thus,  aiming 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  339 

to  ploasc  mon,  and  droading  IIk;  frowns  and  contume- 
ly of  the  world,  he  makes  but  a  partial,  and  disguised, 
declaration  of  the  counsel  of  CJod.  Doctrines,  in  his 
view,  of  everlasting  importance,  he  dares  not  distinctly 
to  inculcate;  and  errors,  of  a  tend(Micy  the  most  ruin- 
ous, he  dares  not  opiMily  and  decidedly  to  impugn. 

Eusebius  is  a  minister  of  a  still  dillerent   character. 
He  has  a  serious  and  settled  belief  in  the  doctrines  of 
the  Gospel;  and  views  them  of  the  highest  importance 
to  the  everlasting  interests   of  mankind.     Though  he 
knows  them  to  be  unpopular,  and  crossing  to  the  feel- 
ings of  the  depraved  heart,  he  cannot  forbear  to  preach 
them.     His  ardent  zeal  for  the   cause   of   his  divine 
INIaster,  and  his  aftectionate  concern  for  his  dear  peo- 
ple, whose  eternal  interests   are  di'pending,  raise   him 
above  the   dread   of  popular   opprobrium.     He  stands 
forth,  courageously,  in  the  cause   of  truth.     He  incul- 
cates the  doctrines   and  precepts   of  the  Gospel,  in  a 
clear  and  distinguishing  manner;  and  labors,  with  all 
his  ability,  to  impress,  on  the  minds  of  his  people,  a 
conviction  of  their  infinite  and  everlasting  importance. 
In  a  word,  he  shuns  not  to  declare  all  the   counsel  of 
God.     Bearing  his  public  testimony  against  prevalent 
errors,  in   his   view,  pernicious,  he   faithfully  preaches 
w'hat  he   believes   to  be   the  truth,    and,  in  the  most 
solemn  and  affectionate  manner,  warns   his   people  of 
the  danger  of  rejecting  it. 

These  several  characters  are  exhibited,  my  hearers, 
for  your  serious  contemplation.  Judge,  for  yourselves, 
which  of  them  approaches  nearest  the  apostolic  model. 
Which  of  them  resembles  most  the  character  of  Paul? 
Should  you  choose,  for  j^our  minister,  such  a  charac- 
ter as  Catholicus,  would  you  not  be  guilty  of  trifling 
with  a  most  sacred  institution  ;  and  of  entailing,  upon 
yourselves  and  your  children,  the  most  fatal  ignorance 
of  the  Gospel  ?  Were  not  the  people  of  Israel,  who 
chose  the  false  prophets,  because  they  preached  smooth 
things,  and  discarded  the  prophets  of  the  Lord,  who 
faithfully  declared  the  truth,  exceedingly  unwise,  and 
exceedingly  criminal  ?  And  if  people,  under  the  Gos- 
pel, conduct  in  a  similar  manner,  must  not  their  folly 


340  MEMOIR    OF 

be  more  conspiciioiis,  and  their  criminality  rise  higher, 
in  proportion,  as  their  light  is  greater  ? 

4.  It  is  most  unreasonable  and  criminal  for  people 
to  be  offended,  and  to  reject  a  minister,  because  he  is 
faithful,  and  does  not  shun  to  declare  unto  them  all 
the  counsel  of  God.  *  *  *  *  5.  Ministers,  and  their 
people,  will  have  a  solemn  meeting,  at  the  bar  of  their 
common  Judge,  in  the  last  great  day." 

In  the  design  and  plan  of  the  speaker,  all  that  had 
been  said,  and  with  overwhelming  effect,  was  but  pre- 
liminary and  preparatory  to  this,  the  concluding  part 
of  the  discourse.  Standing,  as  if  at  the  judgment-seat 
of  Christ,  he  calls  upon  all  in  the  crowded  congrega- 
tion before  him,  to  contemplate  the  contrast  of  the 
revelations  and  the  retributions  of  character,  for  "  the 
faithful,"  and  for  "  the  unfaithful  minister." 

*  *  *  "  If  it  will  be  terrible  for  an  unfaithful  minis- 
ter, to  meet,  at  the  bar  of  God,  his  people,  who, 
through  his  unfaithfulness,  are  found  on  the  left  hand 
of  their  Judge,  and  whose  blood  will  be  required  at 
his  hands  ;  will  it  not  also  be  terrible  for  people  to 
meet,  in  that  solemn  and  decisive  day,  a  faithful  min- 
ister, whom  they  have  rejected;  whose  warnings  they 
have  disregarded,  whose  counsels,  reproofs,  and  affec- 
tionate entreaties,  they  have  contumeliously  slighted  ? 
Their  mouths  will  be  completely  stopped.  The  truth 
was  placed  before  them,  but  they  would  not  receive  it; 
the  warnings  of  God  were  faithfully  delivered,  but 
they  would  not  regard  them :  the  terms  of  life  were 
clearly  stated,  but  they  would  not  embrace  them. 
Terrible,  indeed,  then,  must  be  their  doom.  That  will 
come  upon  them  which  is  spoken  of  in  the  prophets; 
Behold,  ye  despisers,  and  wonder,  and  perish  I 

The  subject,  my  brethren,  which  we  have  been,  this 
day,  contemplating,  must  have  a  very  pc^rtinent,  a  very 
forcible,  application,  both  to  you  and  to  me,  on  the 
present  solemn  occasion.     For  the  space  of  about  five 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  341 

yofirs,  I  liavo  boon  amoiii^  yon  in  the  profosscd  charac- 
tor  of  a  ininistor  of  Christ.  Hut  it  a])j)oars  to  hv.  the 
will  of  Iliin,  in  whoso  hands  are  all  onr  times,  that  I 
sliould  continue  anionic  yon  no  loniror.  This  is,  jn-ob- 
ably,  the  hist  time,  that  I  shall  ever,  as  your  pastor, 
achlress  you  on  the  momentous  concerns  of  your  souls. 
On  this  interesting  occasion,  if  we  be  not  totally  des- 
titute of'  sensibility,  onr  hearts  must  be  solemnly  af- 
fected, and  onr  minds  must  be  occupied,  w^ith  the 
most  serious  reflections.  It  behoves  both  you  and  me, 
solemnly  to  review  the  period  of  my  ministry  here, 
with  reference  to  the  present  state  of  our  souls,  and 
to  eternity.  How  have  I  preached  ?  How  have  you 
heard?  Have  I  faithfully  declared  unto  you  the  truth; 
and  have  you  cordially  received  it  ?  These  are  inter- 
roc:atories  of  infinite  moment. 

For  myself,  I  cannot  attend  to  this  subject,  my  hear- 
ers, but  with  a  trembling  heart.  I  have  been  placed 
here  as  a  watchman,  to  watch  for  your  souls,  as  one 
who  must  give  an  account.  Is  the  account,  this  day, 
to  be  closed,  and  sealed  up  for  the  judgment ;  then  to 
be  opened  in  the  presence  of  the  assembled  universe? 
How  solemn,  how  affecting,  is  the  thought!  Will  the 
blood  of  any  of  your  souls,  perishing,  forever,  through 
my  unfaithfulness,  be  required  at  my  hands  ? — I  have 
reason  for  deep  humiliation  before  God,  and  before 
you,  my  dear  people,  for  my  numerous  short  comings, 
in  the  duties  of  the  christian  ministry  among  you. 
I  have  reason  to  be  humbled,  that  I  have  not  been 
more  zealous,  affectionate  and  faithful,  in  preaching 
and  conversation,  warning  every  man,  and  teaching 
every  man  ;  more  abundant  in  labors,  in  watchings, 
in  supplications;  more  exemplary,  and  more  manifest- 
ly concerned,  and  engaged,  for  the  kingdom  of  the 
Redeemer,  and  the  salvation  of  your  souls.  Deeply 
sensible  of  this,  wherein  I  have  done  wrong,  or  failed 
in  duty,  I  sincerely  ask  forgiveness  of  you  all.  And 
while  I  bend  the  knee  to  the  Father  of  all  mercies,  im- 
ploring his  forgiveness,  it  "is  my  earnest  prayer,  that  no 
imprudencies,  errors,  or  deficiencies  of  mine,  may  prove 
eventually  injurious  to  your  eternal  interests. 
29* 


342  MEMOIR    OF 

But,  on  a  serious  and  solemn  review  of  my  ministry, 
sensible  as  I  am  of  many  and  great  deficiencies,  I  can- 
not accuse  myself  of  having  knowingly  concealed,  or 
disguised,  the  truth,  or  shunned  to  declare  unto  you 
all  the  counsel  of  God.  If  not  deceived,  I  have  aimed 
to  be  plain  and  faithful,  in  my  discourses,  both  public 
and  private;  not  as  many  who  corrupt  the  word  of 
God,  but,  by  demonstration  of  the  truth,  commending 
myself  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God. 
Are  you  not,  my  dear  people,  witnesses  for  me,  that 
this  has  appeared  to  be  the  case  ?  In  the  awful  pre- 
sence of  the  omniscient  God,  may  I  not  make  a  solemn 
appeal  to  your  consciences,  whether,  with  all  my  im- 
perfections, it  have  not  appeared  to  be  my  aim,  faith- 
fully to  declare  unto  you  the  truth,  and  to  keep  back 
nothing,  which  might  be  profitable  unto  you  ? 

During  the  term  of  my  ministry  among  you,  have 
you  not,  my  hearers,  received  many  solemn  and  faithful 
warning-^,  and  many  earnest  and  affectionate  calls  ? 
Have  not  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the  gospel  been 
clearly  set  before  you;  and  their  infinite  importance, 
as  they  respect  your  salvation,  earnestly  urged  ?  Have 
you  not,  from  time  to  time,  been  conducted  to  mount 
Sinai,  that,  solemnly  impressed,  with  a  view  of  the 
awful  majesty  of  God,  and  the  terrors  of  his  law,  you 
might  be  awakened  from  your  security,  and  impelled 
earnestly  to  inquire,  how  you  might  escape  from  the 
wrath  to  come  ?  And,  thence  conducted  to  Calvary, 
have  you  not  been  presented  ^vith  a  view  of  the  Savior, 
bleeding  and  dying  for  you  ;  that,  beholding  the  love 
of  God,  thus  affectingly  manifested,  your  hearts  might 
be  melted  into  penitent  tenderness,  and  turned  to  ac- 
cept his  tendered  mercy?  Assured,  that  now  is  the 
accepted  time,  the  day  of  salvation,  have  you  not  been 
faithfully  warned  of  the  danger  of  delaying  repentance, 
and  of  the  aggravated  condemnation,  which  awaits 
you,  if,  despising  the  terrors,  and  spurning  the  mercy, 
of  the  Lord,  you  die  in  your  sins  ? — And  how  have  you 
improved?  Have  you  cordially  obeyed  the  truth? 
Awakened  by  the  terrors  of  the  Lord,  and  moved  and 
melted  by  his  love,  have  you  dutifully  heard  his  warn- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  843 

ings,  and  ponitcntly    received    ilie    messages  of    his 
gi'ace  ? 

I  am  bound  to  give  thanks  to  the  God  and  Father 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of  mercies,  for  the 
reason  we  have  to  believe,  tliat  you  have  not  all  re- 
ceived the  grace  of  God  iu  vain.  A.  goodly  number, 
it  is  hoped,  have  been  brought  to  repentance,  and  to 
the  acUnowledgment  of  the  truth ;  and  others  who 
were  before  in  Christ,  quickened  and  advanced  in  the 
Christian  life.  And  with  respect  to  such,  my  earnest 
and  atlectionate  prayer  to  God  is,  that  your  love  may 
abound,  yet  more  and  more,  in  knowledge  and  in  all 
judgmenif ;  that  ye  may  approve  things  that  are  excel- 
lent, that  ye  may  be  sincere,  and  without  offence,  till 
the  day  of  Christ ;  being  filled  with  the  fruits  of  right- 
eousness, which  are  by  Jesus  Christ,  unto  the  glory 
and  praise  of  God  :  That  if,  after  having  preached  to 
others,  I  myself  should  not  be  a  castaway,  ye  may  be 
my  joy,  and  crown  of  rejoicing,  in  that  day. 

But,  alas!  my  hearers,  are  there  not  many  of  you, 
who  have  never  yet  obeyed  the  Gospel ;  never  received 
the  love  of  the  truth  ;  never  become  the  subjects  of 
evangelical  re}:)entance,  faith,  and  new  obedience  ? 
How  atfecting,  how  alarming,  is  your  state  I  If  you 
continue  in  your  present  state,  if  you  persist  in. reject- 
ing the  counsel  of  God,  must  you  not  perish  forever, 
and  your  final  condemnation  be  tremendously  aggra- 
vated ?  If  the  preached  Gospel  do  not  prove  a  savor 
of  life  unto  life,  will  it  not  assuredly,  prove  a  savor  of 
death  unto  death,  to  your  souls  ?  What  excuse  will 
you  plead,  when  you  come  to  the  bar  of  God  ?  Can 
you  plead,  that  the  truth  has  not  been  declared  unto 
you  ;  or  that  you  have  not  been  faithfully  and  atlec- 
tionately  warned  ?  Believe  me,  my  dear  fellow-candi- 
dates for  eternity,  I  am  pained,  I  am  distressed,  for 
you.  After  five  years  preaching  to  you,  and  watching 
for  your  souls,  must  I,  can  I,  leave  you  in  a  state  of 
unbelief,  and  instantly  exposed  to  everlasting  burn- 
ings !  Must  all  the  solemn  truths,  and  warnings, 
which,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  I  have  delivered  unto 
you,  serve  only  to  augment  your  guilt  and  render  more 


344  MEMOIR    OF 

terrible  your  final  doom!  Must  I  meet  you  in  your 
present  dreadful  state,  before  the  judgment-seat  of 
Christ!  O,  will  you  not  to-day,  even  now  at  the  last, 
hearken  to  entreaty,  become  obedient  to  the  Gospel, 
and  live  ? 

Some  of  you,  it  is  believed,  have  a  friendly  regard 
for  your  minister,  and  are  deeply  afflicted  in  the  pros- 
pect of  his  removal.  Your  friendship  affects  him,  and 
has  made  an  impression  on  his  heart,  which  time  shall 
never  erase.  But  to  see  you  submit  to  the  Gospel, 
and,  weeping,  like  Mary  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  manifest 
unfeigned  repentance  and  love  to  God,  would  give 
him  infinitely  higher  satisfaction,  than  any  testimoni- 
als, however  dear,  of  your  friendly  affection,  personal- 
ly, to  him.  Will  you  not,  then,  yield  to  this,  his  last, 
his  most  earnest  and  most  affectionate  entreaty,  and 
now,  without  delay,  repent  and  give  your  hearts  to 
God  ?  This,  be  assured,  would  more  than  make  up 
any  supposed  loss  you  may  sustain  by  the  removal  of 
your  minister.  It  would  make  your  salvation,  your 
eternal  interests,  secure.  It  would  be  an  unfailing 
source  of  consolation  to  you,  amidst  all  the  trials  of 
this  chequered  state,  and  fit  you  for  a  happy  and  joy- 
ful meeting  in  the  last  great  day. 

Others  of  you,  instead  of  being  afflicted,  are  rejoiced, 
no  doubt,  in  the  present  immediate  prospect.  But, 
suffer  it  to  be  asked,  why  do  you  rejoice  ?  Is  it  be- 
cause your  minister  has  not  been  faithful  ?  Or  is  it 
because  he  has  been  more  faithful,  than  you  wished 
him  to  be  ?  The  question  is  to  you,  of  infinite  moment. 
If  it  be  because  your  minister  has  been  unfaithful,  has 
handled  the  word  of  the  Lord  deceitfully,  and  daubed 
with  untempered  mortar,  your  rejoicing,  no  doubt,  is 
on  justifiable  ground.  But  if  it  be,  on  the  contrary, 
because  he  has  been  enabled  to  be,  in  a  measure,  faith- 
ful, declaring  unto  you  the  truth  and  the  warnings  of 
God,  and  teaching  you  the  difference  between  tlie  clean 
and  the  unclean,  the  precious  and  the  vile,  your  pre- 
sent exultation  will  be  of  short  continuance,  and  your 
joy  will  be  turned  into  sorrow,  in  the  latter  end.  Do 
not  suffer  yourselves  to   be  deceived  with  the  vain  im- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  345 

agination,  that,  by  the   removal  of  yon   minister  you 
will   get  rid    of    painful   trntli.      The  world    is    full    of 
change,  l)nt  tnUh  is  eternal,  and  not  one  of  God's  words 
shall    ever   fall    to   the  groniid.     If  it   be  a  trnth,  that, 
excejit  a  man  be  born  again,  he  cannot  enter  the  king- 
dom of  God,  this,  whether  you  have  it  preached  to  you 
or  not,  will  forever  remain  a   truth  ;  and   nnless  you 
become  the  subjects  of  this  all-important  change,  you 
will,  forever,  be  excluded  from  God's  kingdom  and  pre- 
sence.    If  it  be  a  truth,  that,  in  the  dispensations  of 
his  grace,  God  is  a  sovereign,  having  mercy  on  whom 
he  will  have  mercy,  and   hardening  whom   he  will,  it 
will  always  remain  a  truth  ;  and  though  you  may  not 
hear  it  preached,  unless  you  become   cordially  recon- 
ciled to  it,  you  never  will   obtain   true  hap})iness  and 
peace,  as  long  as  God  shall  reign.     If  it  be  a  truth,  that 
all  who  die  impenitent,  will  be  punished  with  everlast- 
ing destruction,  from  the   presence   of  the    Lord,   and 
from    the  glory  of   his   power,  this,  also,  will    forever 
remain  a  truth  ;  and  whether  you  hear  it  preached  or 
not,  whether  you  believe  it  not,  except  you  repent,  you 
must  soon  lie  down  in  sorrow,  for  eternity.     You  will, 
therefore,  gain  nothing  in  the  end,  by  the  removal  of  a 
minister,  who  preaches  painful  truth.     If  you  imagine, 
that,  having  gotten  your  minister  out  of  the  way,  you 
will  then  be  able  to  crash  the  cause  of  truth  and  religion 
in  this  place,  you  are  still  deceived.     God  will  enable 
his  friends  to  maintain  his  cause.  Wherefore,  I  beseech 
you,  let  the  advice  of    Gamaliel  be  acceptable  unto 
you  :  refrain  from  these  men,  and  let  them  alone.    For 
if  this  counsel,  or  this  work,  be  of  men,  it  will  come  to 
naught ;  but  if  it   be  of  God,  ye  cannot  overthrow  it, 
lest  haply  ye  be  found  even  to  fight  against  God.   Will 
you    not    be    entreated,  at   this  interesting    period,  to 
pause,  and  give  yourselves  time  for  serious  reflection  ? 
Are  you  sure,  that,  in  opposing  this  church,  and  strip- 
ping them  of  their  pastor,  you  are  doing  God  service? 
Have   you  not,  rather,  reason  to  tremble,  lest  you  be 
found   guilty  of  cruelly  grieving  and   o))])ressing  his 
people  ?    Has  not  God  assured  his  peo]:)le,  that  he  that 
toucheth  them,  toucheth   the  apple  of  his   eye  ?     And 


346  MEMOIR    OF 

will  he  not  avenge  his  own  elect,  who  cry  day  and 
night  unto  him,  though  he  bear  long  I  O  be  warned, 
I  entreat  you ;  throw  down  your  arms,  and  embrace 
the  truth.  Become  the  penitent,  meek,  and  humble 
disciples  of  him  who  prayed  upon  the  cross.  Father 
forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do.  You 
have  been  a  part  of  my  ministerial  charge;  your  wel- 
fare is  dear  to  me,  your  souls  are  precious  ;  and  be- 
lieve me,  I  have  a  feeling  for  you,  an  affectionate  yearn- 
ing of  heart,  for  your  salvation,  Avhich  words  cannot 
express.  Wherever  I  may  go,  whatever  may  be  my 
lot  in  life,  God  forbid,  that  I  should  ever  cease  to  bear 
you  on  my  heart,  and  to  pray  for  you. 

Dear  Youth, 

Since  I  have  been  in  this  place,  I  trust  I  have  not 
failed  to  impress  your  minds  with  a  conviction,  that  I 
have  had   a  tender  concern,  particularly,  for  you.     I 
have   frequently   addressed   you  from    this   desk,  and, 
from  time  to  time,  in  a  less  public  manner,  on  the  con- 
cerns of  your  souls.     And  I  have  had  the  satisfaction 
to  observe,  that,  generally,  you  have  listened  to  my  ad- 
dresses with  a  pleasing  and  promising  degree  of  seri- 
ous attention.     But  what,  dear  youth,  has  been  your 
improvement?     Have  you  laid  up  instruction  in  your 
hearts  ?     Have  you  dutifully  hearkened  to  the  Savior, 
who  died   for   you?     Have  you  repented  of  you   sins, 
and  given  your  hearts  to    God  ?     Have  you  believed 
in  Christ,  and  become  the  Lambs  of  his  Hock  ?    Some 
of  you,  I  trust,  have.     And,  O,  may  you  never   forget 
the  distinguishing  kindness  and  mercy  of  God,  who  has 
made  you  to   know,  and   to   rejoice   in   his   salvation. 
And  may  the  great  Shepherd  of   Israel   gather  you  in 
his  arms,  and  carry  you  in  his  bosom,  through  all  the 
dangerous  scenes  of  this   tempting  and  hostile  world, 
safe  to  his  heavenly  mansions.     But  are  not  many  of 
you  still  in  your   sins  ;  still  impenitent,  and  estranged 
from  God  ?     Unhappy  youth,  how  long  will  you  refuse 
to  hearken  to  Christ  ?     How  long  will  you  give  your 
hearts  to  vanity,  and  walk  in  the  ways  of  death  ?     Is 
it  not  time  to  repent,  and  return  unto  God  ?    Will  you 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  34/ 

hate  inslrnction  and  despise  reproof?  O,  do  yon  not 
know  what  the  end  of  tins  must  be  ?  After  this  day, 
my  yonnjT  friends,  you  will,  probably,  Iiear  nie  preaeh  to 
you  no  more.  Will  you  not,  then,  hearken  to  this  last 
address  of  your  minister,  who  loves  you,  and  has  earn- 
estl}'  soui^ht  your  good  ?  Recall  to  mind,  I  entreat  you, 
the  counsels,  the  warnings,  and  instructions,  which 
you  have  received,  and  ponder  them  seriously  in  your 
hearts.  Remember,  that  life  is  short  and  uncertain. 
Though  young,  you  may  suddenly  die.  Delay  not  re- 
ligion ;  for  a  more  convenient  season  than  the  present, 
will  never  come.  Forsake  the  vanities  of  youth  ;  shun 
the  errors  and  the  vices  of  the  world.  Cease  to  hear 
the  instruction,  which  causeth  to  err  from  the  ways  of 
wisdom;  and  if  sinners  entice  you,  consent  not.  Re- 
member, he  that  walketh  with  wise  men  shall  be  wise ; 
but  a  companion  of  fools  shall  be  destroyed.  Dread, 
worse  than  the  pestilence,  the  company  of  those  who 
make  a  mock  at  religion.  I  leave  you,  dear  youth, 
surrounded  with  snares  and  dangers  ;  but  I  leave  you 
in  the  hand  of  God.  Make  him  your  friend,  and  you 
will  be  safe,  for  time  and  for  eternity.* 

Beloved  Brethren  and  Sisters  of  this  Church, 

The  kingdom  of  our  Lord,  in  this  world,  is,  at  pre- 
sent, a  kingdom  of  patience;  and  every  day's  experi- 
ence is  suited  to  teach  us,  that  we  must,  through  much 
tribulation,  enter  into  that  rest,  which  remaineth  for 
those,  who  inherit  the  promises.  You  have  had  a  long 
and  painful  scene  of  trial  and  of  conflict ;  you  have  sus- 
tained a  great  fight  of  affliction.  But,  beloved,  count 
it  not  strange  concerning  the  fiery  trial,  wdiich  is  to  try 
you,  as  if  some  strange  thing  had  happened  unto  you. 
Have  not  your  brethren,  the  faithful  friends  of  the 
cross,  and  disciples  of  our  Lord,  who  have  gone  before 
you,  experienced  similar  trials  ?  Did  not  the  blessed 
com})any,  who  now  surround  the  throne  of  God, 
clothed  in  white  robes,  and  palms  in  their  hands,  come 

*  In  years  afierwarcis,  quite  a  number  who  came  forward  to  profess  their 
faith  in  Christ,  referred  back  to  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Worcester,  for  iheir  first 
awakening. 


348  MEMOIR    OP 

out  of  gi'eat  tribulation  ?  And  will  you,  then,  indulge 
despondency,  and  let  your  hearts  fail  you  ?  Ought  you 
not,  rather,  to  count  it  all  joy,  that  you  are  found  worthy 
to  sutfer  for  the  name  of  Jesus  ?  The  present,  you  doubt- 
less consider,  as  a  cloudy  and  dark  day.  But,  let  not 
your  heart  be  troubled,  neither  let  it  be  afraid.  Jeho- 
vah still  reigns  upon  the  holy  hill  of  Zion.  He  will 
make  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  him,  and  the  remain- 
der of  wrath,  he  will  restrain.  Fear  not,  he  says,  for  I 
am  with  you;  be  not  afraid,  for  I  am  your  God.  On- 
ly trust  in  him,  and  he  will  deliver  you,  and  comfort 
your  hearts.  He,  who  could  open  to  his  ancient  cho- 
sen tribes,  a  way  through  the  sea,  has,  sm-ely,  power 
to  save,  and  to  relieve  his  people,  in  the  most  dis- 
tressing circumstances.  His  church  is  built  upon  a 
rock,  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  never  prevail  against 
it. 

Extraordinary  trials,  my  brethren,  call  for  extraordi^ 
nary  faith,  and  Christian  exertion.  It  is  in  scenes  of  dif- 
ficulty, of  danger,  of  severe  conflict,  that  the  Christian 
character  shines  with  the  brightest  lusti'e.  You  have, 
now,  an  opportunity  to  display  all  the  amiable  and 
heroic  virtues  of  the  soldiers  of  Christ.  And  will  you 
not  improve  it  ?  Will  you  give  up  the  cause,  for  which 
you  have  so  long  and  so  ardently  struggled  ?  Is  it  not 
the  cause  of  truth,  the  cause  of  religion,  the  cause  of 
God  ?  Have  you  suffered  so  many  things  in  vain,  if 
it  be  yet  in  vain?  No,  my  brethren,  you  must  never 
be  weary  in  well-doing,  but  must  hold  on,  and  hold 
out,  and  endure  unto  the  end.  On  you,  chiefly,  it  de- 
pends, whether  the  Gospel  of  Christ  shall  be  supported 
in  this  place.  In  your  fidelity,  therefore,  and  persever- 
ing exertions,  not  only  your  own  eternal  interests,  but 
the  eternal  interests  of  your  children,  your  friends,  and 
neighbors,  and  multitudes  around  you,  are  deeply  con- 
cerned. And  will  you,  then,  consider  any  exertions, 
any  sufferings,  any  sacrifices,  too  great  ?  Does  proper- 
ty ever  appear  so  truly  valuable,  as  when  it  may  be 
used  in  promoting  the  everlasting  salvation  of  immor- 
tal souls  ? 

Beware,  my  brethren,  that  you  be  not  removed  from 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  349 

the  foniidation  of  the  Gospel.  Cherish  yonr  present 
est.iblishineiit,  as,  niukn'  (lod,  the  sheet  anchor  of  your 
dearest  ho))es,  in  this  world,  for  yourselves,  and  your 
ehihh'en.  Carefidly  maintain  the  order  and  discii)line 
of  Cln'ist's  house.  Achnonished  by  the  perik)us  scenes 
throui^h  which  you  have  passed,  be  careful  in  your  ex- 
aminations, before  you  admit  to  the  sacred  privileges 
of  your  body.  See  that  ye  fall  not  out  by  the  way. 
Endeavor  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  in  the  bond 
of  peace.  Put  on,  as  the  elect  of  God,  holy  and  be- 
loved, bowels  of  mercies,  kindness,  humbleness  of 
mind,  meekness,  long  suffering,  forbearing  one  an- 
other, and  forgiving  one  another.  If  it  be  possible,  as 
much  as  in  you  lies,  live  peaceably  with  all  men.  While 
you  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith,  once  delivered  to 
the  saints,  let  nothing  be  done  through  strife  and  vain 
glory.  Maintain  a  constant  sense  of  your  dependence 
on  divine  aid,  and  pray  without  ceasing.  Take  to 
yourselves  the  whole  armor  of  God,  that  ye  may  be 
able  to  stand  in  the  evil  day.  Be  steadfast,  immovea- 
ble, always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 

Never,  beloved,  shall  I  forget  your  affectionate  kind- 
ness to  me.  May  the  Lord  reward  you  seven  fold. 
Never  shall  I  forget  the  solemn,  happy  days,  when  we 
took  sweet  counsel  together,  and  went  to  the  house, 
and  to  the  table  of  the  Lord,  in  company.  May  the 
God  of  all  grace  comfort  your  hearts,  in  all  your  tribu- 
lations ;  and  in  due  time  favor  you  with  a  pastor,  who 
w^ll  care  for  you,  and  feed  you  in  green  pastures,  by 
the  side  of  still  waters.  But,  by  the  blood  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  the  wx)rth  of  immortal  souls, 
I  conjure  you  never  to  consent  to  the  settlement  of  a 
minister  over  you,  who,  you  have  not  good  reason  to 
think,  w^ill  faithfully  declare  unto  you  all  the  counsel 
of  God.  And  now,  brethren,  I  commend  you  to  God, 
and  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  wdiich  is  able  to  build 
you  up,  and  to  give  you  an  inheritance  among  all  them 
that  are  sanctilied. 

My  fellow-travellers  to  eternity,  with  what  rapidity 
do  days,  and  months,  and  years,  roll  off  I  How  soon 
shall  we  have  done  with  this  world,  and  all  its  fiuctu- 
30 


350  MEMOIR    OF 

ating  scenes!  How  soon  shall  we  see  the  heavens  on 
fire,  the  elements  melting  with  fervent  heat,  and  the 
Lord  descending  to  judgment!  How  soon  shall  we 
stand  together,  before  his  awful  and  enlightened  tribu- 
nal I  Expecting  to  meet  you  there,  and  fervently  pray- 
ing, that,  of  his  infinite  mercy  we  may  be  found  wor- 
thy to  stand,  in  that  day,  on  his  right  hand,  I  bid  you 
all,  my  brethren  and  friends,  an  affectionate — Fare- 
weU." 

Such  a  "  Farewell "  was  too  much  for  those,  whose 
mode  of  religious  sentiment  and  sectarian  or  party  in- 
terests had  arrayed  them  as  his  enemies.  They  had 
little  realized,  that  they  were  his  enemies,  because  "the 
enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ."  And  whether  or  not 
they  now  knew  what  they  had  been  doing,  they  wept 
freely  with  all  the  multitude  ;  so  that  a  sti-anger  would 
have  found  it  impossible  to  distinguish  them  from  the 
preacher's  sincerest  friends. — But  those  who  were  in- 
deed his  friends,  and  most  of  all  because  in  "charity  " 
so  pure,  and  with  a  life  so  irreproachable,  he  had  been 
"  bold,"  as  Paul,  "  to  speak  the  Gospel  of  God," — wept 
for  themselves  and  their  children,  as  if  never  to  be  com- 
forted, when  they  took  the  parting  hand  of  his  manli- 
ness, and  received  the  benediction  of  that  warm  and 
tender  heart,  upon  which  the  memorials  of  their  confi- 
dence and  love  were  "  set  as  a  seal,"  forever. 

It  was  his  heart,  which,  by  the  grace  of  God,  made 
him  the  man  that  he  was.  "  I  never  kneiv  a  heart  like 
his,  in  all  7nu  experience  of  men,"  is  the  living  witness 
of  one,  who,  for  the  last  eighteen  years  of  his  life,  knew 
him  most  intimately,  as  "  a  brother  beloved  "  above  all 
his  brethren,  and  who  now,  in  his  venerable  age,  can 
never  mention  his  name,  but  with  an  expression  of  un- 
utterable esteem  and  reverence. 

Some  of  Dr.  Worcester's  friends  at  Fitchburg,  could 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  351 

not  summon  fortitude  enoun^h,  to  hear  him  preach,  the 
last  time,  as  their  pastor.  And  among  those,  who  did 
not  agree  wnth  him  in  liis  doctrinal  views,  and  even 
professed  to  have  no  faith  in  a  revelation  from  God, 
there  were  some  w^ho  had  no  sympathy  with  the  move- 
ment of  his  opposers,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  condemn  a 
course  of  proceedings,  by  which  the  town  had  been 
deprived  of  the  influence  of  a  man,  whose  interest  in 
the  education  of  the  children  and  youth,  was  so  pro- 
motive of  the  intelligence,  industry,  enterprise,  good 
morals,  and  general  respectability  of  the  inhabitants. 

It  has  been  said,  also,  that  some  individuals  who 
took  an  active  part  in  those  proceedings,  afterwards 
deplored  their  conduct,  with  apparent  penitence  and 
contrition  ;  as  has  not  seldom  been  true  of  the  adver- 
saries and  persecutors  of  Christ's  ministers.* 

The  clerical  opposers  of  Dr.  Worcester  persuaded 
themselves,  doubtless,  that  they  were  contending 
against  him  and  the  church  of  Fitchburg,  in  defence 
of  Christian  liberty^  and  in  rebuke  of  enthusiasm,  big- 
otry, and  intolerance  !  They  were  not  the  first,  nor  the 
last,  who  have  done  the  like.  In  1752,  Rev.  Thomas 
Gillespie,  of  Carnock,  in  Scotland,  was  deposed  from 
the  ministry  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  by  the  General 
Assembly,  because  he  had  "  declined  to  act  in  a  forced 
settlement  of  a  minister,  over  a  congregation  that  had 
not  chosen  him  as  their  pastor."  In  a  letter  of  cheer- 
ing sympathy,  the  great  Edwards  remarks : — 

"  This  proceeding  gives   reason  to  suspect,  that  the 

*  See  "  Life  of  Edwards,"  pp.  421 — 7,  the  remarkable  confession  of  Jo- 
seph Halley,  Esq  ,  who  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  men  of  Western 
Massachusetts,  and  who  headed  the  opposition  of  the  Northampton  Church 
against  Edwards,  in  his  eflbrts  to  restore  the  usages  of  the  church,  which 
had  been  supplanted  '-by  the  lax  method  oi  admission,"  accorduig  to  the 
doclriue  of  Stoddard. 


352  MEMOIR    OF 

Church  of  Scotland,  which  was  once  so  famous,  is  not 
what  it  once  was.  It  appears  probable  to  me,  at  this 
distance,  that  there  is  something  else  at  the  bottom, 
besides  a  zeal  to  uphold  the  authority  of  the  church. 
Perhaps  some  of  the  clergy  of  the  Church  of  Scotland 
have  their  minds  secretly  infected  with  those  lax  prin- 
ciples of  the  new  divinity,  and  have  imbibed  the  lib- 
eral doctrines,  as  they  are  accounted,  which  are  much 
in  vogue  at  the  present  day,  and  so  contrary  to  the 
strict,  mysterious,  spiritual,  soul-humbling  principles 
of  our  forefathers.  I  have  observed  that  these  modern 
fashionable  opinions,  however  called  noble  and  liberal, 
are  commonly  attended,  not  only  with  a  haughty  con- 
tempt, but  an  inward  malignant  bitterness  of  heart, 
towards  all  the  zealous  professors  and  defenders  of  the 
contrary  principles,  that  do  so  nearly  concern  the  vi- 
tals of  religion,  and  the  power  of  experimental  godli- 
ness. This,  be  sure,  has  been  the  case  in  this  land.  I 
have  known  many  gentlemen,  (especially  in  the  min- 
istry) tainted  Avith  these  principles  ;  who,  though  none 
seem  to  be  such  warm  advocates  as  they,  for  liberty 
and  freedom  of  thought,  or  condemn  a  narrow  and  per- 
secuting spirit  so  much  as  they  ;  yet,  in  the  course  of 
things,  have  made  it  manifest  that  they  themselves  had 
no  small  share  of  a  persecuting  spirit.  They  were,  in- 
deed, against  anybody's  restraining  their  liberties,  and 
pretending  to  control  them  in  their  thinking  and  pro- 
fessing as  they  please  ;  and  that  is  what  they  mean, 
truly,  when  they  plead  for  liberty.  But  they  bear  that 
inward  enmity  of  spirit  towards  those  others  mention- 
ed, that,  if  they  see  an  opportunity  to  persecute  them 
under  some  good  cloak,  and  with  some  false  pretext, 
they  will  eagerly  embrace  it,  and  proceed  with  great 
severity  and  vehemence.  Thus  far,  if  the  truth  were 
known,  it  would  appear,  that  some  of  your  most  stren- 
uous persecutors  hate  you  much  more  for  something 
else,  than  they  do  for  your  not  obeying  the  orders  of 
the  General  Assembly.  I  do  not  pretend  to  know  how 
the  case  is.  I  only  speak  from  what  I  have  seen  and 
found,  here  in  America,  in  cases  somewhat  similar. 
However,  it  is  beyond  doubt,  that  this  proceeding  will 


SAMUEL     WORCESTER.  353 

stand  on  the  rocortls  of  future  time,  for  the  lasting  re- 
proach of  your  persecutors ;  and  your  conduct,  for 
which  you  have  sullered,  will  be  to  your  lasting  honor 
in  the  Church  of  God."  * 

Somewhat  more  than  two  years  earlier,  July  5, 1750, 
Edwards  said,  in  a  letter  to  Rev.  Mr.  Erskine, — "  The 
Scriptures  often  lead  us  to  judge  of  true  religion,  and 
the  gracious  sincerity  of  professors,  by  the  genius,  the 
temper  and  spirit,  of  their  religion :  James  iii.  17. 
Eph.  V.  9.  Gal.  v.  19-25.  &c.  &c.  I  have  been  greatly 
grieved  at  a  spirit  of  censoriousness  ;  hut  yet  I  heartily 
ivish,  that  some  sorts  of  charily  iv ere  utterly  abolishedJ^ 

In  the  controversy  between  the  church  and  town  of 
Fitchburg,  Dr.  Worcester  did  far  more  than  lay  "  the 
foundation  of  all  that  pre-eminence,  to  which  he  after- 
wards attained  on  the  subject  of  ecclesiastical  gov- 
ernment, and  the  order  of  the  churches."  His  reputa- 
tion for  theological  learning,  sound  discretion,  contro- 
versial power,  and  christian  heroism,  went  forth  "  as 
the  light  of  the  morning,  when  the  sun  riseth,  even  a 
morning  without  clouds." 

His  manner  in  this  controversy  was  the  exponent  of 
his  principles.  He  was  too  ingenuous  and  magnani- 
mous, to  have  recourse  to  management;  and  "none  of 
his"  was  the  misnamed  prudence^  which  so  easily 
lapses,  on  the  one  hand  or  the  other,  into  duplicity 
and  evasion,  and  so  frequently,  through  fear  or  favor, 

♦  Can  it  be  doubted,  that  the  Secession  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland, 
which,  almost  a  century  later,  ha»  tilled  the  world  with  its  renown,  is  to  be 
traced  directly  back,  for  someihing  more  than  antecedence,  to  the  noble  tes- 
timony of  the  martyr-like  Thomas  Gillespie?  "  When  called  to  the  bar,  to 
receive  his  sentence,  he  replied — '  Moderator,  I  receive  this  sentence  of  the 
General  Assembly,  with  reverence  and  awe.  But  I  rejoice,  that  it  is  given 
to  me,  on  the  behalf  of  Christ,  act  only  to  believe  on  his  name,  but  to  sufl'er 
for  his  sake.' " 

80* 


354  MEMOIR    OF 

seeks  the  refuges  of  non-committal.  He  made  straight 
paths  for  his  feet,  and  walked  right  onward  in  his  in- 
tegrity. Incapable  of  denying  a  truth  as  of  affirming 
a. falsehood,  he  allowed  himself  in  no  concealment  of 
facts,  and  in  no  misstatements,  whatever  the  oppor- 
tunity or  the  temptation.  But  when  compelled  by  ir- 
resistible conviction  of  duty,  to  meet  an  antagonist, 
he  had  the  sagacity  to  perceive,  with  the  strength  to 
take  and  to  hold,  every  honest  and  honorable  advan- 
tage in  his  cause,  his  position^  and  his  resources.  He 
wrote  with  the  unction  of  an  earnest  personal  faith. 
When  plain  and  pungent,  he  was  neither  uncourteous 
nor  uncandid.  If  he  was  severe^  he  did  not  "  dip  his 
pen  in  gall."  His  severity  was  but  the  ardency  of 
his  love  of  the  truth,  and  the  just  expression  of  his 
alarms  for  the  consequences  of  error,  to  errorists  them- 
selves. 

If  he  had  chosen  to  remain  at  Fitchburg,  he  could 
have  baffled  all  the  machinations  of  his  opposers,  so 
far  as  these  were  aimed  to  effect  his  removal.  His 
health  alone  would  have  been  a  sufficient  reason  for  a 
change  of  his  residence  and  sphere  of  labor.  But  he 
felt  assured,  from  other  signs  and  leadings  of  Provi- 
dence, to  which  he  hourly  looked,  that  his  ]Master  was 
now  directing  him  to  some  other  part  of  the  vineyard ; 
and  he  could  await  the  future,  without  solicitude, 
"rejoicing  in  the  Lord  always." 

An  eminent  clergyman,  who  had  been  familiar  with 
his  arduous  trials,  testified  of  him,  as  he  was  about 
retiring  from  the  scene  :  "  I  never  knew  a  young  man, 
that  I  believe  could  have  managed  such  a  controversy, 
with  so  much  ability  and  propriety,  and  with  so  little 
of  error." 

"  A  few  bold  hearts  joined  with  him,"  says  one  of 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  355 

the  ablest  writers*  of  the  present  day, — after  reviewing 
the  facts  of  this  controversy; — "  Dr.  Morse,  of  Charles- 
town,  Dr.  Spring,  of  Newburyport,  and  others,  all  gone 
with  him  to  the  rewards  of  christian  fidelity  and  hero- 
ism ;  and  thongli  the  struggle  was  long,  and  fierce, 
the  victory  was  complete.  <  No  Union  with  Error' 
was  the  watch-word  ;  it  was  caught  up  and  echoed 
from  pulpit  to  ])ulpit  through  New  England,  till  the 
separation  was  made,  and  the  Gospel  again  had  free 
course  and  was  glorified.  That  was  the  Great  Crisis 
in  the  history  of  the  Congregational  churches,  beyond 
any  thing  since  they  were  planted  on  our  shores; 
Samuel  Worcester  was  raised  up  for  the  exigency ; 
he  struck  out  the  true  measures  ;  he  carried  them  for- 
ward to  successful  and  glorious  issue;  and  revered  as 
he  is,  and  should  be,  for  his  self-sacrificing  life  and 
premature  death,  in  the  cause  of  Foreign  Missions, 
his  true  title  should  be,  "  The  Liberator  of  the 
CoxXGREgational  Churches  of  Neav  England." 

Among  the  evangelical  clergy,  as  w^ell  as  laity  of  the 
passing  generation,  there  are  those,  probably,  who 
have  been  but  little  aware  of  the  services,  which,  here 
at  home  and  in  the  midst  of  the  sepulchres  of  "the 
fathers,"  the  first  Secretary  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  was 
enabled  to  perform,  for  the  purifying  and  "  edifying  of 
the  body  of  Christ." — Such  maybe  surprised,  and  may 
somewhat  demur,  before  they  are  prepared  to  respond 
a  hearty  concurrence  in  the  foregoing  eulogium.  Per- 
haps, they  may  need  a  more  enlightened  acquaintance 
with  the  history  of  our  churches  in  New  England. 
And  perhaps  also  they  are  themselves  of  the  number — 
the  thousands  and  thousands  of  thousands — who,  in 
the  results    of  the   controversy,   at    Fitch  burg,    as  in 

*  Rev.  Henry  Wood,  Cong.  Journal,  Concord,  N.  II.,  April  30,  1S16. 


356  MEMOIR    OF 

those  of  the  controversy  at   Northampton,  will  forever 

"  SING  UNTO   THE   LoRD,  AND    GIVE     THANKS     AT     THE    RE- 
MEMBRANCE OF  HIS  HOLINESS  I" 


CHAPTER   VII. 

Invited  to  preach  at  Salem.  The  Tabernacle  Church.  Movements  at 
Rowley  and  Fitchburg.  Embarrassed  question  of  duly.  First  parental 
alfliction.  Listallaiioa  at  Salem.  Mai^s.  Miss.  Magazine.  Popular  esti- 
mation of  his  preaching  and  devotional  services.  Appointment  at  Dart- 
mouth College.  Revival.  Death  of  his  eldest  daughter.  Committee  of 
Advice,  on  the  subject  of  Professorship.  Regard  for  the  Pulpit.  Burn- 
ing of  Sermons.  Solicitude  for  church  members.  Courses  of  Sermons 
and  Lectures.     Occasional  Sermons.     Models  of  prayers. 


In  Judah  is  God  known  ;  his  name  is  great  in  Israel.  In  Salem  also  is 
his  tabernacle,  and  his  dwelling-place  in  Zion.  ...  In  all  thy  ways  ac- 
knowledge him,  and  he  shall  direct  thy  paths. 

Previous  to  his  dismission  from  Fitchbnrg,  Dr. 
Worcester  had  visited  Salem,  during  the  session  of  a 
council,  in  the  case  of  the  Rev.  Joshua  Spaulding, — 
that  he  might  confer  with  members  of  the  council, 
relative  to  his  own  affairs.  He  there  became  very  fa- 
vorably known  to  a  few  influential  members  of  the 
Tabernacle  Church,  who  secretly  determined,  that,  if 
he  and  their  own  pastor  should  be  dismissed,  they 
would  take  prompt  measures  to  obtain  him  for  the 
Tabernacle. 

In  July,  a  rumor  came  to  Salem,  that  the  pastor  of 
Fitchburg  would  soon  be  released.  A  messenger  was 
dispatched,  not  without  a  studied  concealment  of  his 
purpose,  to  forestall  his  services,  as  a  candidate.  Just 
after  the  messenger  entered  the  town,  he  met  one  of 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  357 

the  inlmbitcints,  and,  apparently,  a  man  of  standing. 
He  beti;an  a  conversation  with  liini,  and  intimated, 
that  he  was  desirous  of  finding  a  suitable  minister  for 
the  society  \\i  ill  which  he  was  connected.  "Why," 
said  he,  "  I  dont  like  the  doctrine  of  Mr.  Worcester. 
But  he  is  a  man  of  talents,  a  good  scholar,  and  a  gen- 
tleman. And  if  you  like  his  doctrine^  you  will  like 
him.  You  can't  do  any  better,  if  you  like  his  doctrine. 
Bwi  Idon'tr 

The  inquirer  was  no  less  in  earnest  to  eflect  his 
purpose.  Highly  gratified  with  his  visit,  he  returned 
home  without  any  pledges,  yet  not  without  hope,  that 
his  next  pastor  would  be  the  man,  who,  at  Salem,  in 
a  single  conversation  on  the  principles  of  church  gov- 
ernment, had  completely  won  his  confidence. 

The  founders  of  the  Tabernacle  Church  were  origi- 
nally a  part  of  the  First  Church  in  Salem, — the  first 
in  the  Massachusetts  Colony.  The  pastor.  Rev.  John 
Fisk,  with  a  majority  of  the  members,  having  been 
cut  off  from  the  fellowship  of  sister  churches,  by  a  pro- 
cess of  discipline,  admirably  conducted  according  to 
the  Third  Way  of  Communion^  a  new  society  was  con- 
stituted, and  a  house  of  worship  erected.  Not  sub- 
mitting to  any  new  organization  as  a  church,  or  being, 
formally  recognized,  they  called  themselves,  and,  for 
twenty-seven  years,  claimed  to  be,  the  First  Church  in 
Salem.  Suitable  confession  was  ere  long  made,  and 
the  censure  of  the  churches  was  regularly  removed. 
And  as  history  must  now  be  written,  those,  who  had 
been  obliged  to  take  a  new  ecclesiastical  standing, 
became,  in  the  providence  of  God,  a  church  to  "  con- 
tend earnestly  for  the  faith,"  when  the  original  church 
could  no  longer  endure  the  "sound  doctrine"  of  the 
forefathers. 


358  MEMOIR    OP 

The  dispute  with  Mr.  Fisk,  in  which  the  minority 
of  tlie  church  justly  succeeded,  is  not  known  to  have 
had  any  direct  reference  to  his  sentiments.  His  suc- 
cessor, Rev.  Dudley  Leavitt,  participated  in  the  spirit 
of  the  Great  Awakening;  and  by  many  in  the  town 
and  neighborhood,  at  his  settlement  in  1745,  was  re- 
proached as  a  "  New  Light."  He  exerted  a  very  salu- 
tary influence.  Dr.  Whitaker,  a  man  of  powerful  tal- 
ents, and  an  earnest  advocate  of  Hopkinsian  views, 
followed  Rev.  J.  Huntington,  whose  brief  ministry  after 
that  of  Mr.  Leavitt,  had  left  a  delightful  impression  of 
his  loveliness  and  fervent  piety.  In  1784,  Dr.  Whita- 
ker was  deposed.  Mr.  Spaulding  succeeded  him,  and 
the  church  rapidly  recovered  from  a  sad  and  melan- 
choly depression.*  And  although  there  had  been  diffi- 
culties, which  had  resulted  in  his  dismission,  such,  on 
the  whole,  was  the  prospect  of  usefulness  for  tlie  right 
kind  of  preacher  and  pastor,  who  should  take  his  place, 
that  the  members  of  the  church  could  make  a  very 
urgent  appeal  to  the  man  of  their  choice. 

There  were,  at  this  time,  five  Congregational 
churches  in  Salem.  Beside  the  Tabernacle,  the  South 
Church  only,  which  originated  in  a  secession  from  it, 
during  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Whitaker, — could  be  called 
Calvinistic.  Of  the  pastors  of  the  other  churches,  two 
would  be  thought  more  nearly  to  resemble  "  Cephas,^^ 
than  "  Eusebius ;"  while  the  third  had  as  much  of 
*'  CathoIicuSy^  as  had  been  claimed  by  any  accredited 

*  The  house  of  worship  was  burned  down,  in  1774.  The  present  house  is 
the  oldest  in  the  city,  having  been  dedicated  in  1777.  It  was  built  upon  the 
model  of  VVhilefield's  Tabernacle  in  London,  and  received  its  name  in  honor 
of  his  memory.  Whitefield  preached  for  Dr.  Whitaker,  Sept.  5,  1770, — less 
than  four  weeks  before  his  death. 

The  church  took  the  name  of  Third  Church,  in  1763,  which,  after  17S6, 
gave  place  to  the  name  of  the  house  of  worship. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  359 

minister  in  the  county  of  Essex,  if  not  in  the  whole 
country. — There  was  a  small  Episcopal  Cliurch,  and 
as  yet  no  other  religious  organization,  except  a  Socie- 
ty of  Friends  or  Quakers. 

Dr.  Worcester  was  in  no  haste  to  be  re-settled.  lie 
desired  a  part  of  the  vineyard,  in  which  he  could  spend 
and  be  spent,  as  a  quiet  and  diligent  husbandman, 
who  could  reap  his  harvests  in  peace,  and  not  be 
obliged  to  be  in  full  armor,  and  incessantly  watching, 
as  a  soldier  in  an  enemy's  country.  His  heart  yearned 
for  repose. — And  w^ell  aware,  that  the  circumstances 
of  difficulty,  w^hich  occasioned  the  resignation  of  Mr. 
Spaulding,*  were  in  no  respect  similar  to  those  by 
w^hich  he  himself  had  been  oppressed  and  affiicted,  he 
yet  found  it  not  very  pleasant  to  think  of  connecting 
himself  with  a  church  and  society,  w^hich  had  been  so 
seriously  involved  in  a  controversy  wdtli  their  late 
minister. 

His  friends  at  Fitchburg  did  every  thing  in  their 
power,  to  prevent  his  leaving  them.  They  clung  to 
him,  as  if  the  separation  would  be  like  tearing,  not  a 
limb,  but  the  head  from  the  body.  And  scarcely  had 
he  been  dismissed,  before  the  church  in  Rowley  ap- 
prized him  of  their  strong  desires,  that  he  would  oc- 
cupy their  pulpit,  at  the  earliest  day ;  while  similar 
expressions  w^ere  communicated  from  other  places. 
He  was  now  entering  new  scenes,  and  those  in  which 
his  character  w^as  show^n  in  new  forms  of  develope- 
ment. 

*  It  was  simply  a  diflerence  between  the  pastor  and  the  church,  on  the 
subject  of  church  government.  After  a  very  happy  union,  for  some  tifieen 
years,  the  pastor  claimed  the  right  to  negative  the  voles  of  the  brethren. 
After  his  dismission,  he  became  openly  a  Presbyterian. 


360  MEMOIR    OP 

Mrs.   Zervia  Worcester. 

«  Salem,  Sept.  22,  1802. 
My  dear  Zervia, — 

By  the  kindness  of  Providence,  my  journey  from 
Hollis  to  this  place  was  prosperous.  *  *  *  Arrived 
at  Mr.  Barton's,  about  11  o'clock  ;  found  their  little 
daughter,  a  beautiful  child,  about  two  years  old,  very 
sick  of  the  scarlet  fever;  parents  very  anxious  and 
deeply  afllicted ;  could  not  but  take  part  in  their  sor- 
row, nor  leave  them  without  tender  concern.  May  the 
Father  of  mercies  comfort  them. — Rode  from  Tewks- 
bury  about  two  o'clock,  and  made  no  considerable 
stop,  until  about  seven  in  the  evening,  very  much  fa- 
tigued, I  arrived  at  Mi*.  Pickard's,  in  Rowley.  Found 
Rowley  people  in  eager  and  anxious  expectation. 
They  were  very  sorry  for  my  engagement  at  Salem  ; 
and  would  hardly  forgive  Mr.  Punchard  for  stealing  a 
march.  They  expressed  a  concern,  lest  I  should  pre- 
fer Salem  to  Rowley;  appeared  hospitable,  kind,  and 
affectionate,  and  lamented,  that,  owing  to  the  shortness 
of  my  stay,  and  the  fogginess  of  the  weather,  I  could 
not  see  more  of  the  parish,  before  I  left  it  for  this  place. 
I  engaged  to  supply  them,  four  Sabbaths,  after  the 
expiration  of  my  present  term  here. 

Friday,  about  10  o'clock,  left  Rowley,  and  passing 
through  Ipswich,  Hamilton,  and  Wenham,  an  exceed- 
ingly pleasant  road,  arrived  between  twelve  and  one, 
at  my  friend,  Mr.  Dow's,  in  Beverly.  With  him  I 
passed  very  agreeably  the  afternoon,  until  about  five 
o'clock ;  when  I  took  my  horse  and  rode  into  town. 
Here  I  was  very  cordially  received ;  and  have  since 
been  treated  with  great  attention.  I  lodge  with  elder 
Safford,  a  very  worthy,  serious,  and  agreeable  man  ; 
and  have  every  accommodation  which  I  could  wish. 
On  the  Sabbath,  I  preached  to  a  large  and  very  at- 
tentive assembly  ;  and,  at  particular  request,  gave  a 
third  sermon  in  the  evening,  to  an  assembly  still  larger 
than  what  m(^t  in  the  day  time. — On  Sabbath  morn- 
ing, I  was  called  to  visit  a  woman,  a  sister  of  this 
church,  who  was  dying  of  the  dysentery, — a  disease 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  361 

which  is  (juite  prevah^ut  in  the  easterly  part  of  the 
town.  She  was  abk*  to  speak,  and  sp()k(»  very  com- 
fortably indeed.  Monday,  at  five  o'clock,  P.  M.,  I  at- 
tended her  funeral. 

On  Monday  evening,  attended  a  church-meeting. 
Most  of  the  brethren  and  sisters  were  together,  and 
their  a])pearance  was  exceedingly  agreeable.  Last 
evening,  I  attended  a  conference.  There  is  no  special 
seriousness,  but  people  are  attentive. — Since  I  have 
been  in  town,  I  have  visited  at  a  good  many  places ; 
and  am  very  much  pleased  with  the  people.  There  is 
religion  here  ;  and  a  great  field  for  usefulness.  I  have 
this  morning  been  particularly  requested  by  the  Com- 
mittee, to  hold  myself,  in  a  special  sense,  as  a  candi- 
date for  settlement  in  this  place ;  and  to  keep  myself 
free  from  any  further  engagements  elsewhere.  I  hesi- 
tated upon  the  subject.  This  is  undoubtedly  one  of 
the  most  important  stands  in  the  Commonwealth. 
The  Society  is  very  large,  and  if  they  get  a  man  of 
talents  and  popularity,  is  likely  to  be  greatly  increased. 
The  labor  will  be  great,  and  the  probable  influence 
very  extensive.  I  feel  myself  unequal  to  the  situation. 
However,  I  have  consented  to  the  request  of  the  Com- 
mittee, so  far  as  not  to  enter  myself  under  any  further 
engagements,  until  my  present  term  is  expired. 

How  soon  I  shall  see  you,  is  uncertain,  but  proba- 
bly as  soon  as  I  proposed.  Write  to  me  when  you 
can,  and  let  me  know  how  it  fares  with  yourself,  and 
with  the  three  dear  little  pledges  of  our  mutual  affec- 
tion. Tell  them  that  papa  loves  them,  and  will  come 
and  see  them  before  long.  Will  you  not  have  leisure 
to  pay  particular  attention  to  the  little  girls,  to  teach 
them  to  read,  and  to  commit  some  good  things  to 
memory  ?  Their  early  education  is  infinitely  impor- 
tant.    My  love  to  all  friends. 

Yours,  most  affectionately, 

Samuel  Worcester.^^ 

31 


362  MEMOIR    OP 

"  Sale^n,  Sept  30, 1802. 
My  dear  Zervia, — 

My  last  letter  might  awaken,  perhaps,  some  concern, 
which  I  wish  as  soon  as  possible  to  dissipate.  I  have 
been  indeed  very  unwell,  and  have  had,  as  it  is 
thought,  a  hard  escape  from  a  fever.     *     *     *     * 

I  am  better ;  and  as  the  weather  is  very  fine,  I  pro- 
pose to  ride  out  this  afternoon  to  Marblehead. 

This  moment  Capt.  Tenney  called  and  handed  your 
letter.  It  is  a  cordial,  it  is  like  balm.  Oh,  how  good 
the  Lord  is !  How  can  we  forget  his  kindnesses  !  I 
am  aware,  that  your  situation  must  be  attended  with 
many  disagreeable  circumstances  ;  but  we  must  hope 
in  that  Providence  we  have  always  found  kind,  for 
better  days. — Where  our  lot  will  be  cast,  is  known  to 
Him  only,  whose  wisdom  directs  all  events.  Perhaps 
it  may  be  well  to  cultivate,  in  the  present  interim,  a 
taste  for  a  style  of  living  somewhat  different  from 
what  we  have  been  accustomed  to  heretofore. 

My  time  is  just  gone.  Mr.  Punchard,  who  will  ride 
with  me  this  afternoon,  will  be  waiting. 

Tell  Fidelia  and  Lucretia,  papa  loves  them  a  great 
deal ;  says  they  must  be  good  little  girls  ;  do  as  their 
mama  bids  them,  and  he  will  come  and  see  them  in  a 
few  days.  Habituate  them  as  much  as  possible  to 
neatness  and  cleanliness  ;  let  no  little  girls  go  before 
them,  in  any  thing  which  is  pretty.  Love  and  duty 
to  aU. 

Yours,  with  sincere  affection, 

Samuel  Worcester." 

There  is  a  peculiarity  in  the  usages  of  the  Taber- 
nacle Church,  to  which  objections  have  been  made, 
but  which  originated  in  a  painful  experience.  In 
1786,  soon  after  Mr.  Spaulding's  settlement,  the 
Church  adopted  their  present  "  Articles "  of  govern- 
ment and  discipline.     The  16th  is  this  : 

"  To  prevent  as  much  as  possible  any  unconverted 
minister  ever  having  charge  of  this  church,  we  think 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.*  363 

it  necessary,  that  snch  persons  as  may  be  set  over  us 
in  the  Lord,  should  give  tlio  church  a  particuhir  ac- 
count of  what  God  has  done  for  them,  by  a  work  of 
grace  upon  their  hearts,  and  sign  tlie  artich's  of  the 
church,  before  ordination  to  the  i)astoral  oflice  over 
it." 

Dr.-  Worcester  was  the  first  candidate  who  complied 
with  the  precautionary  requisition.  It  was  at  a  meet- 
ing, Nov.  22.  "  The  church  unanimously  expressed 
their  satisfaction  with  his  relation  of  religious  expe- 
rience." At  an  adjourned  meeting,  on  the  23d,  they 
voted,  one  dissentient  only,  to  give  him  a  call  to  be 
their  pastor.  The  proprietors  of  the  house  of  worship 
concurred  unanimously. 

Rev.  Leonard  Worcester. 

"  Hollis,  Dec.  9,  1802. 
My  dear  Brother, — 

I  was  called  hither,  last  week,  to  attend  to  my  fam- 
ily. Two  of  my  children  were  very  sick,  Lucretia  of 
a  fever,  and  Samuel  of  a  weakness  brought  on  by  va- 
rious concurring  causes.  But  a  merciful  Providence 
has  vouchsafed  relief,  and  they  both  appear,  at  present, 
to  be  in  a  hopeful  way  of  recovery.  Truly,  the  Lord 
is  good,  and  his  mercy  endureth  forever.  The  letter, 
giving  information  of  the  sickness  of  my  children, 
found  me  at  Newburyport,  where  I  was  on  a  visit  with 
your  sister. 

Of  my  present  situation  and  prospects  I  can  give 
you  but  a  sketch. — The  church  in  Fitchburg  have  late- 
ly proceeded  to  give  me  a  formal  call  to  return  to 
them.*     As  an  encouragement  they  have  voted  to  give 

*  The  church  thus  "proceeded,"  on  the  26ih  of  October.  The  plan  was 
to  support  the  Gospel,  by  an  association  independent  of  the  town.  In  the 
ensuing  s()ring,  it  was  voted  to  have  a  candidate  wilh  the  town,  as  if  no  dif- 
ficuliy  liad  occurred.  But  in  November,  lb03,  it  was  voted  by  the  church,  and 
those  who  associated  wilh  them  for  the  worship  of  God,  to  choose  a  commit- 


364  *  MEMOIR    OF 

me  my  former  salary  of  $333,33,  with  the  addition  of 
twenty-five  cords  of  w^ood  annually,  and  have  procured 
subscriptions  to  the  amount  of  seven  or  eight  hundred 
dollars,  as  a  settlement.  This,  considering  circum- 
stances, is  certainly  generous.  They  flatter  themselves, 
that,  should  I  return,  opposition  will,  in  a  great  mea- 
sure, die  away,  and  the  town  be  restored  to  a  tolerable 
state  of  peace  ;  but  should  -not  their  expectations  in 
this  regard  be  realized,  they  are  determined  to  support 
the  Gospel  themselves,  receiving  only  such  assistance 
as  may  voluntarily  be  contributed. 

At  the  Tabernacle,  in  Salem,  I  have  met  with  unex- 
pected acceptance.  The  week  before  last  the  church 
unanimously  voted  to  present  me  an  invitation  to  set- 
tle with  them.  The  society  was  to  meet  yesterday  ; 
and  it  was  expected  that  the  unanimity  Avould  be  as 
perfect  in  the  society  as  it  was  in  the  church.  Whether 
this  expectation  were  well  founded,  the  event  has  de- 
termined. After  one  Sabbath  more  at  Salem,  I  am  to 
return  to  Rowley,  where  a  strong  disposition  is  mani- 
fested to  proceed  to  a  call,  any  previous  calls  notwith- 
standing ;  but  I  think  I  shall  prevail  on  them  to  desist 
from  their  purpose. 

You  will  easily  conceive  that  I  am  placed  in  a  situ- 
ation not  a  little  perplexing,  critical,  and  trying.  The 
call  from  the  church  in  Fitchburg  is  not  to  be  treated 

tee  to  provide  a  candidate.  A  new  meeting-house  was  soon  afterwards 
erected,  amidst  great  opposition.  Rev.  T.  T.  Barton  was  settled,  in  1504. 
In  1S14,  Mr.  B.  having  been  dismissed  for  sometime,  a  union  was  effected 
between  the  new  and  the  old  organization,  at  the  request  of  the  latter.  When 
Dr.  W.  heard  of  this,  he  said  to  one  of  his  tried  friends, — "  How  could  the 
brethren  of  the  church  have  ever  consented  to  such  a  measure?  You  can 
no  more  unite  with  those  people,  than  light  and  darkness  can  be  one  !  " 

The  Rev.  William  Eaton,  was  settled  over  both  parlies,  in  1815;  and  the 
form  of  union  continued  until  1S23,  when  he  was  dismissed,  and  a  new 
separation  took  pUice,  the  consequences  of  which  have  been  decidedly  ad- 
vantageous to  the  peace  and  general  welfare  of  the  town.  The  Calvinistic 
Congregational  Church,  of  which  Rev.  E.  W.  Billiard  is  now  pastor,  con- 
tains the  principal  part  of  the  families  of  the  friends  and  adherents  of  Dr. 
Worcester.  There  have  been  no  members  of  the  church  more  stable  than 
those,  who,  under  his  ministry,  were  "  estabUslied  in  the  truth." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  365 

with  lightness.  There  is  certainly  an  interest  there 
worthy  of  attention,  and  many  things  present  them- 
selves to  my  miiid,  as  strong  inchieements  to  return. 
But  there  are  obstacles,  which,  if  not  totally  insur- 
mountable, are  at  least  exceedingly  difficult  to  sur- 
mount.    On  the  whole,  it  is  a  tender  business. 

Salem  presents  an  important  object.  The  society  is 
now  very  large,  and  the  number  of  those,  belonging  to 
others  societies,  who  are  disposed  to  hear,  very  con- 
siderable. It  is  supposed,  that  I  have  more  than  once 
preached  to  an  assembly  of  two  thousand  people. 
For  some  unaccountable  reason  the  town,  generally, 
manifest  a  strong  desire  for  my  settlement  there. 
Viewed  in  all  respects,  the  Tabernacle  is  considered 
by  those  who  are  acquainted  with  it,  as  one  of  the  most 
important  stands  in  the  Commonwealth.  But  there 
are  obstacles  to  my  settling.  Not  only  will  the  requisite 
labor  be  immense,  but  what  is  of  much  higher  con- 
sideration is,  I  doubt  whether  I  am  the  proper  person 
for  a  post  so  important  and  arduous.  Though  the 
odium  and  reproach  drawn  upon  it  by  Mr.  Spaulding, 
seem  to  be  at  present  in  a  good  measure  done  away ;  yet 
to  maintain  the  great  cause  there,  with  any  desirable 
share  of  respectability,  will  require  the  exertion  of  tal- 
ents, and  the  exercise  of  virtues,  which,  I  fear,  I  do 
not  possess. 

I  speak  after  the  manner  of  men.  I  know  God  hath 
chosen  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the 
mighty.  But  this,  I  think,  will  not  warrant  us  confi- 
dently to  advance  to  a  post,  to  which  we  are  not  com- 
petent. Write  to  me,  dear  brother,  as  soon  as  you 
can.  A  letter  directed  to  Salem  will  find  me.  Give 
your  opinion  and  advice  freely.  But  especially  have 
me  in  constant  remembrance  in  your  addresses  to  the 
fountain  of  grace  and  of  wisdom.  Assure  our  dear 
sister  of  a  share  in  our  most  aflfectionate  remembrances. 
Accept  my  thanks  for  your  ^ood  sermon.  And  believe 
me  to  be,  yours  in  fraternal  love. 

Samuel  Worcester." 

31* 


366  MEMOIR    OF 

Mrs.  Zervia  Worcester. 

''Salem,  Dec.  29,  1802. 

My  dearest  Zervia, — 

I  have  but  a  single  moment ;  for  Mr.  M.  is  waiting 
in  the  rain.  I  came  here  yesterday.  Expect  to  preach 
here  the  next  Sabbath, — at  Rowley,  the  Sabbath  after. 
At  Rowley,  they  seem  determined  to  proceed  to  a  call 
at  all  adventm'es.  The  greatest  engagedness  is  mani- 
fested. You  will  easily  conceive,  that  my  mind  is 
overwhelmed.  Sleep  has  almost  departed  from  my 
bed.  Unite  your  prayers  with  mine  for  divine  support, 
light,  and  direction,  and  especially  for  prudence  and 
humility.  My  situation  was  never,  perhaps,  so  criti- 
cal and  trying. 

Possibly  I  may  see  you  next  week,  but  do  not  reck- 
on much  upon  it,  for  it  is  very  uncertain. 

Embrace  the  dear  children  for  me,  and  assure  them 
of  my  love.  You  will  spare  no  pains  in  their  educa- 
tion. 

Love  and  respects  to  all  friends. 

Sincerely  and  affectionately  yours, 

Samuel   Worcester." 

In  a  letter  of  January  7,  1803,  he  says, — "  My  mind 
is  still  fluctuating.  May  God  dispose  of  me  as  he 
pleases."  A  few  weeks  afterwards,  he  was  called  sud- 
denly to  HoUis,  by  intelligence  of  the  dangerous  sick- 
ness of  his  second  daughter.  She  died  in  his  arms, 
but  never  in  his  heart. 

''Salem,  FeZ^.  16,  1803. 

My  dear  Zervia, — 

At  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Mr.  Haywood,  I  tar- 
ried with  him  on  the  day  1  left  HoUis,  until  after  din- 
ner. I  arrived  at  Tewksbury,  about  sunset.  At  brother 
Barton's,  1  found  a  strange  satisfaction.  They  knew 
what  it  was  to  bury  a  child.  Tiiey  could  weep  with 
me,   and   administer  the    balm   of  sympathy  to   my 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  3G7 

wonndi'd  heart.  It  was  incUM^l  a  tender  scene  ;  my 
alllictioii  seeiiK'd  to  call  up  their  sorrow  afresh.  O, 
my  dear,  the  wound  now  o])ened  will  never  be  closed; 
we  shall  carry  it  to  the  grave.  I  feel  it  niort^  and  more. 
I  trust  I  am  not  without  support  and  consolation. 
There  is  comfort  in  considering,  that  (Jod  has  done  it. 
There  is  unspeakable  ha])piness  in  the  feeling  of  sub- 
mission to  his  holy  will.  It  is  all  right.  I  know,  I 
feel  it  to  be  so. 

But  the  pleasant,  the  lovely  Lucretia — my  swim- 
ming eyes  will  hardly  permit  me  to  write  her  name, — 
her  dear  image  is  constantly  present  with  me,  whether 
waking  or  sleeping.  How  pleasant  her  looks, — with 
what  endearing  fondness  does  she  pronounce  Papa! — 
A  thousand  tender  recollections  overwhelm  my  heart, 
and  ere  I  am  aware,  the  flowing  tear  steals  down  my 
cheek.  O,  my  dear,  I  think  of  you  ;  I  think  of  Fide- 
lia and  Samuel,  with  a  feeling,  a  melancholy  tender- 
ness, till  now  unexperienced.  How  often  does  my 
heart  rise  to  the  Father  of  mercies,  and  God  of  all 
consolation,  that  he  would  surround  you  with  his  sup- 
porting and  comforting  presence, — that  he  would  bless 
the  dear  children, — and  that  he  would  have  my  little, 
afflicted,  broken  family,  from  whom  I  am  so  painfully 
absent,  in  his  holy  and  merciful  keeping. 

On  Friday,  the  day  after  I  left  you,  I  attended  the 
funeral  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Prentiss,  of  Reading.  It  was 
to  me  a  solemn  scene.  On  Friday,  the  week  before, 
the  remains  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Robie,  of  Lynn,  were  com- 
mitted to  the  tomb.  How  many  and  how  solemn  are 
the  admonitions  we  receive  I  God  grant  us  grace 
wisely  to  improve  them. 

I  arrived  in  town  about  seven  o'clock  on  Friday 
evening,  and  met  with  a  very  welcome  and  sympa- 
thetic reception.  The  people  here  had  been  in  a  state 
of  great  solicitude.  They  got  the  first  news  of  our  af- 
fliction, on  the  Monday  preceding  my  arrival.  Had 
they  not  received  it  that  day,  some  of  tliern,  it  appears, 
would  have  set  out  on  Tuesday,  for  Ilollis.  There  is 
here  no  discoverable  alteration,  unless  it  be  an  in- 
creased attachment  and  an  increased  anxiety  respect- 


368  MEMOIR    OF 

ing  my  final  answer.  O,  why  is  it,  that  so  unworthy 
a  creature  should  experience  so  much  kindness,  and 
receive  so  many  and  so  great  testimonials  of  Christian 
affection  and  esteem  ?  Surely  I  am  nothing,  and  the 
praise  is  due  to  God.  O,  that  he  would  make  me 
humble  and  faithful  in  his  service,  and  show  me  in 
what  part  of  his  vineyard  he  would  have  me  labor. 
Mr.  Smith,  of  Salem,  N.  H.,  came  to  see  me  on  Mon- 
day, preached  a  lecture  at  the  vestry  in  the  evening, 
and  tarried  with  me  till  the  next  morning.  His  com- 
pany was  a  comfort.  I  received  a  letter  from  brother 
Leonard  ;  all  well.  You  are  remembered  with  affec- 
tion. 

Absence  from  you  at  this  period,  is  uncommonly 
painful.  I  hope,  however,  you  are  not  without  com- 
fort. God  grant  his  sanctifying  influences  to  us  both, 
that  our  present  grievous  affliction  may  do  us  good. 
We  need  correction  ;  let  us  dutifully  submit  to  it.  Let 
us  live  nearer  to  God,  and  set  our  affections  more  on 
things  above.  Let  us  pray  more  fervently  for  one  an- 
other, and  for  our  dear  little  ones.  Devoting  them  to 
God,  enjoying  them  as  his,  let  us  bring  them  up  for 
him,  as  long  as  he  is  pleased  to  lend  them  to  us.  But 
a  little  while  more,  and  we  shall  have  done  with  this 
vale  of  tears.  O,  let  it  be  our  daily  business  to  pre- 
pare for  a  better  world.  May  we  not  indulge  the  hope 
that  Lucretia  has  gone  before  us,  and  if  we  be  found 
worthy,  will,  ere  long,  welcome  us  to  a  participation 
of  heavenly  joys!  Love  to  all  friends. 
Yours,  most  afTectionately, 

Samuel  Worcester." 

Lucretia,  and  not  Lydia^  was  the  name  by  which 
this  little  daughter  was  usually  called  in  his  family.  It 
was  the  same  with  his  second  Lydia  Lucretia,  who 
also  died  at  an  early  age.  Another  daughter,  who,  it 
has  often  been  said,  more  resembles  him,  than  any  of 
his  children,  received  the  name  of  Elizabeth  Lydia. 
But  neither  was  ever  called  Lydia,  as  the  common  dis- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  369 

tinctivo  name;  and  for  the  reason,  probably,  that, 
while  it  was  a  grateful  satisfaction  to  lh(;  father,  to 
think  of  the  name  of  Lydia,  as  borne  l^y  one  of  his  own 
beloved  chikh-en,  there  w^as  so  much  of  liallowed  ten- 
derness in  the  memory  of  his  endeared  sister,  and  re- 
vered mother,  that  he  chose  another  name  for  the  famil- 
iar sound  of  his  own  voice,  and  that  of  other  members 
of  the  domestic  circle.  He  was  the  more  afllicted  by 
the  death  of  his  first  Lydia  Lucretia,  because  of  the 
exceeding  beauty  of  "  her  innocent  age,"  and  the  glow- 
ing expectations,  which  others  as  well  as  himself,  had 
formed,  of  her  character  of  mind  and  heart,  in  future 
years. 

''Salem,  March  22,  1803. 

My  dear  Zervia, — 

On  my  way  down,  I  stopped  at  Tewksbury, — wrote 
my  answer  there  to  the  Tabernacle  Church,  and  send- 
ing it  forward  by  Mr.  Barton,  stayed  and  preached  for 
him  on  the  Sabbath.  The  Monday  following,  I  ar- 
rived in  town,  and  was  received  with  great  joy.  *  *  * 

March  24.  Your  letter  has  produced  in  my  mind  the 
mingled  emotions  of  joy  and  grief.  Blessed  forever 
be  the  Father  of  mercies,  for  all  his  goodness  to  me 
and  my  family.  O,  may  he  who  comforted  INIartha 
and  Mary,  in  their  affliction,  comfort  your  heart,  and 
sanctify  unto  us  both,  all  our  bereavements  and  trials. 
He  knows  how  we  mourn,  and  into  his  bosom  let  us 
pour  our  wounded  hearts. 

I  shall  see  you  before  installation,  if  possible,  but 
there  is  still  an  uncertainty  about  it. 

Love  and  respects,  as  usual.     In  haste, 

Yours. 

Samuel  Worcester." 

His  theological  teacher  and  warm  friend.  Dr.  Austin, 
preached  the  Sermon,  at  his  installation,  on  the  20th 
of  April.     It  was  an  able  and  characteristic  exposition 


370  MEMOIR    OP 

of  the  sentiment,  "  TJiat  it  ought  to  be  viewed^  as  an 
indispensable  and  primary  duty  of  the  preachers  of  the 
Gospel^  to  diffuse  correct  information  respecting  Gody 
A  very  deep  impression  was  made ;  not  least  of  all  by 
the  address  to  the  Pastor  elect.* 

"  The  greatest  solemnity  was  observed  in  the  au- 
dience, and  the  general  wishes  were  for  the  union  and 
peace  of  that  numerous  society,!  of  which  Mr.  Wor- 
cester has  accepted  the  charge.  The  society  did  them- 
selves honor  in  the  generous  preparations  for  the 
Council  and  strangers,  and  in  all  the  services  had  the 
cheerful  concurrence  of  the  inhabitants."^ 

*  "  You  have,  like  your  Master,  borne  the  cross,  and  suffered  the  shame. 
You  have  passed  through  the  ordeal  of  whispering  satire,  of  the  embiitered 
machinations  of  false  brethren,  and  the  more  open  assaults  of  those,  who 
had  the  fortitude  to  be  more  generously  your  enemies."  &c. 

Dr.  Austin's  text  was  in  Acts  xvii,  23.  In  a  note  to  the  Sermon,  he  says, 
"  It  is,  in  the  author's  view,  an  extraordinary  phenomenon  in  the  moral 
world,  to  see  a  learned  man  stand  up  in  the  pulpit,  as  one  who  is  set  for  the 
defence  of  the  gospel,  and  tell  his  auditory,  that  there  are  no  essential  truths 
to  be  bel'eved  in  order  to  a  man's  becoming  a  good  christian,  but  such  as 
are  acceded  to  by  all  parties  ;  that  all  attempts  to  explain  the  capital  doctrines 
of  Christianity,  turn  out  to  be  a  mere  jumble  of  hard  words,  and  unmtelligible 
phrases;  and  that  the  wisest  way  in  the  world  is  to  content  ourselves  with 
knowing  what  every  heathen  knows  perfectly  well  already,  that  if  we  have 
done  wrong  we  must  be  sorry  for  it.  By  this  sort  of  preaching  the  intelligent 
hearer  is  reduced  to  these  two  alternatives,  either  he  must  algure  his  under- 
standing and  take  the  gospel  upon  trust,  or  search  into  the  interior  structure 
of  Christianity  and  become  an  infidel.  How  long  shall  this  severest  satire 
upon  the  scheme  of  divine  revelation  continue  to  torture  us  from  the  pulpit? 
To  place  the  doctrines  of  Christianity  in  regard  to  their  intelligil)leness  upon 
a  level  with  the  Eleusynian  mysteries,  is  surely  the  worst  of  arguments  to 
prove  its  inspiration." 

t  The  population  of  Salem,  in  ISOO,  was  9457  ;  in  1765,  4427  ;  and  6700,  in 
17S6,  In  1771,  Dr.  Whitaker  recorded  this  "numerous  Society,  as  "  3S0 
families  and  1905  souls  ;"  or  more  than  one  third  part  of  the  inhabitants.  At 
Dr.  Worcester's  settlement,  there  were  probably  three  fourths  as  many,  as 
in  1771.  The  Society  has  now,  in  1851,  about  an  eleventh  part  of  a  popula- 
tion, exceeding  20,000.     Communicants, 413  :  176,  in  1771. 

X  Salem  Gazette,  April  22nd.  "  The  introductory  prayer  was  by  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Spring,  of  Newburyporl.    An  excellent  sermon  was  delivered  by 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  371 

The  limtliers  Leonard  and  Thomas  added  nauch  to 
the  interest  of  the  installing  services.  The  latter  re- 
marked to  a  member  of  the  church,  who  was  among 
the  most  pleased  and  elated, — "  I  should  not  feel,  that 
I  could  go  away  in  peace,  and  leave  my  brother  with 
you,  w^ere  it  not  for  the  trials  which  he  has  had  at 
Fitchburg.  He  is  a  scholar,  and  I  know  he  will  be 
respected  anywiiere.  But  I  should  tremble  for  him,  in 
such  flattering  circumstances,  if  I  did  not  believe,  that 
the  influence  of  the  trials  which  he  has  had  to  pass 
through,  will  serve  to  keep  him  humble." 

Thus  was  consummated,  in  the  thirty-third  year  of 
his  age,  the  second  pastoral  relation  of  Dr.  Worcester  ; 
and  thus  commenced  the  most  prosperous  and  happy 
administration  of  the  Tabernacle  Church,  from  its  es- 
tablishment in  1735.  There  was,  indeed,  "great  joy 
among  the  people  "  of  his  own  charge  ;  and  the  "cheer- 
ful concurrence  "  of  so  many  others,  in  their  choice  of 
a  pastor,  was  marked,  as  highly  auspicious.  The  feel- 
ing of  satisfaction,  it  may  be  said,  w^as  universal.* 

the  Rev.  Samuel  Austin,  of  Worcester.  The  installing  prayer  was  from 
Rev.  Samuel  Niles,  of  Abington,  and  the  charge  from  Rev.  Mr.  Hopkins,  of 
this  town.  A  Brother  of  the  Candidate  installed,  gave  him  the  hand  of  fel- 
lowship, and  his  Father  closed  the  solemnities  with  prayer."  His  brother 
Leonard  thus  appears  to  have  been  taken  by  some,  for  the  '•'father  .'" 

*  Notwithstanding  what  was  written  by  a  friend  of  Mr.  Hazlitt  and  Mr. 
Belsham,  ropecling  the  state  of  religious  opinions  in  Salem,  at  the  time  of 
Dr.  Freeman's  avowal  of  Unitarianism,  in  1787. — "  Many  other  churches 
might  be  mentioned,  [beside  'Old  Hingham'  &c.]  from  which  the  Calvinis- 
tic  gloom  is  gradually  dispersing.  But  I  must  particularly  notice  Salem. 
There  was  there  one  [?J  thoroughdox  [?]  congregation,  which  was  not  in  a 
very  flourishing  state.  There  were  also  three  large  congregations,  where 
Unitarian  ministers  were  generally  [?]  heard  with  acceptance.  One  of  these, 
indeed,  became  wholly  Unitarian  in  a  little  time,  through  the  fearless  and  in- 
defatigable labors  of  Mr  Bentley,  a  very  learned  man,  and  an  unbiassed  and 
strenuous  advocate  for  what  appeared  to  him  to  be  the  good  word  of  truth, 
according  to  the  Gospel.  The  two  others  were  mostly  [?]  Arians.  Mr. 
Barnard,  an  hospitable,  open-hearted  man,  who  readily  entered  into  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  stranger,  was  the  minister  of  the  second  of  these  churches, 


372  MEMOIR    OF 

It  was  in  this  same  month,  as  some  may  be 
pleased  to  know,  that  Jeremiah  Evarts  took  charge  of 
the  Academy,  in  Peacham,  Vt.,  and  became  an  in- 
mate of  the  family  of  Rev.  Leonard  Worcester.  It 
was  one  of  the  ways  in  which  Providence  was  prepar- 
ing him,  to  be  associated  so  fraternally  with  the  brother 
at  Salem,  in  the  greatest  benevolent  enterprises  of  their 
times  and  om'  own. 

And  in  this  same  year,  1803,  Dr.  Channing  com- 
menced his  "  brilliant  ministry  "  in  Boston,  expecting, 
no  doubt,  an  entire  change  in  the  predominant  faith  of 
New  England,  through  the  gradual  progress  of  "  liberal 
sentiments."  But  it  is  not  very  probable,  that  he  had 
any  idea  of  such  an  aggressive  resistance  of  those  sen- 
timents, as  that  of  1815,  when  his  "  ardent  sensibili- 
ties "  were  so  much  aroused  by  ]\Ir.  Evarts's  "  great 
plainness  of  speech,"  in  the  Panoplist  "  Review  of 
American  Unitarianism  ;  "  and  when  drawing  his  bow, 
somewhat  violently,  and  not  a  little  "  at  a  venture,"  he 
suddenly  found  himself  in  the  open  field,  face  to  face, 
with  "  no  unequal  antagonist,"  in  the  equally  aroused 
pastor  of  the  Tabernacle. 

On   the   day  after   his  installation.    Dr.  Yv^orcester 
preached  a  sermon,   at  the  dedication  of  a  house  of 

and  had  so  well  instructed  his  flock,  that  nothing  was  offensive  to  them  which 
appeared  to  flow  from  an  honest  mind.  Mr.  Darby,  a  rich  merchant,  ren- 
dered the  third  respectable,  by  his  courteous  and  bountiful  disposition.  Our 
friend  often  preached  to  these  congregations,  and  was  treated  with  civility 
by  them  all." — Monthly  Kep^y.^  vol.  Ill,  quoted  iw  Spirit  of  the  Pilgrims,  vol. 
Ill,  pp.  GG7-8. 

By  the  same  gossiping  writer  it  was  said, — "  There  is  every  reason  to  pre- 
dict, that,  in  thirty  or  forty  years  more,  the  whole  of  Massachusetts  will  be 
Unitarian."     It  is  now  "  more  "  i\is.x\  fifty,  or  sixty  years ! 

"  17&6.  About  this  time  Mr.  Ilazlitt,  a  stranger,  supplies  the  pulpit  of  the 
First  Church,  the  pastor  being  on  a  journey.  In  one  of  his  sermons,  before 
the  North  Parish,  he  openly  disavowed  his  belief  in  the  doctrine  of  the  Tri- 
nity, much  to  the  surprise  of  liis  hearers." — Fdfs  Afuials,  ^c,  vol  11^  p.  605. 


SaXIUEL    WORCESTER.  373 

worship,  for  the  Third  Cuiigrcgatioiuil  Church,  in 
Rowley.  It  was  from  I  Kings  v :  27.  lie  was  heard 
with  much  favor,  and,  at  the  request  of  the  society,  the 
sermon  was  published. 

The  subject  of  his  Inaugural  Sermon,  April  2 1th, 
was, — "  The  g-reat  importance,  that  the  ivord  preached 
by  the  ministers  of  Christ,  be  received  in  a  proper  man- 
mer  by  those  to  whom  it  is  preached,''^ — suggested  by 
Acts  xvii:  11,12 — "  These  were  more  noble  than  those 
in  Thessalonica,  in  that  they  received  the  word,"  &c. 
The  views  which  he  presented,  were  a  very  appropri- 
ate introduction  of  the  personal  references,  suited  to 
the  occasion. 

"  Since  last  I  addressed  you  from  this  sacred  desk, 
we  have  passed  through  one  of  the  most  solemn  and 
eventful  scenes,  which  ever  takes  place  on  this  side 
eternity.  You  have  received  from  God,  as  we  trust,  a 
minister  of  the  Gospel ;  and  I,  from  the  same  God, 
have  received  the  charge  of  a  people.  I  have  been 
made,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  an  overseer  of  this  flock  in 
the  Lord.  This  is  to  me  an  occurrence  of  infinite 
moment.  I  need  not  assure  you,  that  the  charge  which 
I  have  received,  lies  heavy  upon  my  heart.  Expe- 
rienced, as  in  some  measure  I  am,  in  the  afllictions  of 
the  Gospel,  and  in  the  difficulties  attending  a  faithful 
discharge  of  the  christian  ministry;  pleasant  and  agree- 
able as  the  present  aspect  of  things  is,  I  dare  not  al- 
low myself  to  look  forward  into  future  life,  with  any 
raised  expectations  of  temporal  prosperity  or  happi- 
ness. But  it  is  of  little  consequence  what  befalls  me, 
provided  that  you,  my  dear  friends,  may  but  be  saved. 
May  I  but  be  found  faithful,  and  may  you  but  be  sav- 
ingly benefitted  by  my  ministry,  I  will  rejoice  in  any 
event. 

As  you  have  received  me,  in  the  character  of  an  am- 
bassador from  the  Lord  of  life  and  glory,  you  will  be 
pleased  to  bear  it  in  constant  remembrance,  that  in  this 

32 


374  MEMOIR    OF 

capacity  I  am  to  act,  not  in  my  own  name,  but  in  the 
name  of  Him  by  whom  I  am  sent.  In  all  my  official 
transactions  among  you,  I  am  to  be  considered  as  act- 
ing, not  for  myself,  but  for  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church,  whose  minister  I  am.  You  will  be  pleased 
to  remember,  moreover,  that  there  is  the  most  solemn 
responsibility  attached  to  my  office.  It  is  written, — 
"  Cursed  is  he  that  doeth  the  work  of  the  Lord  deceit- 
fully." And  perhaps  there  will  not  be  a  more  awful 
reckoning,  in  the  great  and  decisive  day  of  the  judg- 
ment, than  that  of  an  unfaithful  minister  of  the  Gospel ! 

You  will  ever  bear  it  in  mind,  that  as  an  ambassa- 
dor of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  treat  with  you  on  the 
most  solemn  and  momentous  concerns,  I  am  fur- 
nished w4th  my  instructions,  and  these  instructions  are 
contained  in  the  sacred  Scriptures.  The  Bible  entire 
is  my  only  warrant,  my  only  guide,  in  all  my  official 
transactions  ;  in  all  the  various  business  of  my  sacred 
mission.  According  to  the  Bible  I  am  to  live  ;  accord- 
ing to  the  Bible  I  am  to  preach.  According  to  the 
Bible  I  am  to  reprove,  to  rebuke,  and  to  exhort,  warn- 
ing every  man  and  teaching  every  man.  According 
to  the  Bible  I  am  to  manage  the  holy  discipline,  and 
to  administer  the  sacred  ordinances  of  Christ's  house. 
According  to  the  Bible,  in  a  word,  I  am  to  negotiate 
with  you,  in  the  name  of  the  gi-eat  King,  my  master, 
the  all-important  concerns  of  your  eternal  salvation. 

You  will,  therefore,  never  require  me,  you  will  never 
indeed  wish  me,  to  deviate  in  the  least,  from  my  direc- 
tions in  this  sacred  volume.  In  preaching  to  you  the 
Gospel,  you  will  never  require  me  to  keep  back  any- 
thing which  may  be  profitable  unto  you  ;  or  to  shun  to 
declare  all  the  counsel  of  God.  You  will  never  require 
me  to  lower  down  the  majesty  of  the  divine  character, 
nor  to  sacrifice  the  rights  of  the  divine  government, 
nor  to  promise  you  life  upon  other  terms  than  what  the 
Gospel  proposes.  You  will  allow  me  faithfully  to  de- 
lineate your  characters,  as  they  are  represented  in  the 
Scriptures,  and  to  declare  to  you  freely  the  only  and 
indispensable  terms,  on  which  you  may  obtain  recon- 
ciliation and  peace  with  God.     You  will  allow  me  to 


SAMUEL    AVORCESTER.  375 

make  a  distijiction  between  the  ri<Thteons  and  the 
wicked,  between  him  that  feareth  (xod  and  him  that 
feareth  him  not;  and  to  ])rochiini  not  only  the  accej)t- 
able  year  of  the  Lord,  but  also  the  day  of  vengeance  of 
our  God. 

Upon  my  public  ministrations,  you  will  ever  attend 
with  seriousness  and  candor.  Holding  yourselves  open 
to  conviction,  willing  to  be  brought  to  the  light  that 
your  deeds  may  be  reproved,  you  will  never  reject  any 
doctrine  or  sentiment  I  may  deliver,  or  blame  me  for 
delivering  it,  until  you  are  clearly  convinced,  on  im- 
partial and  thorough  investigation,  that  it  is  doctrine 
not  warranted  by  the  Scriptures.  But  if  doctrines  are 
delivered  Avhich  contravene  your  preconceived  opin- 
ions, or  which  grate  upon  your  feelings,  you  will,  like 
the  noble  Bereans,  search  the  Scriptures  daily  whether 
they  be  so.  And  never  on  any  occasion  will  you  be 
so  unjust  to  yourselves,  as  to  speak  against  me  or  my 
preaching,  until  you  have  ingenuously  waited  upon  me 
for  free  and  friendly  conversation,  and  given  me  a  free 
opportunity,  if  possible,  to  satisfy  your  minds.  My 
doors  shall  ever  be  open  to  receive  you  ;  and  it  will  be 
my  greatest  pleasure  to  attend  to  your  difficulties,  to 
answer  your  inquiries,  and  to  give  you  every  satisfac- 
tion, when  convinced  of  my  error  or  fault. 

On  the  whole,  you  will  regard  me  when  preaching 
the  Gospel,  as  a  steward  of  the  mysteries  of  God,  and 
as  the  Lord's  watchman  unto  this  his  Israel.  You  will 
never  wish  me  to  cry  peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no 
peace,  nor  to  daub  with  untempered  mortar ;  but  faith- 
fully to  warn  the  wicked,  as  well  as  to  comfort  the 
righteous ;  and  so  to  divide  the  word  of  truth,  as  to 
give  every  one  his  portion  in  due  season. 

As  pastor  of  this  church,  you  will  wish  me  to  be 
faithful  in  the  house  of  God ;  never  relaxing  the  rules 
of  evangelical  discipline,  out  of  compliance  or  partial- 
ity to  any,  nor  administering  the  sacred  ordinances  in 
any  other  way,  nor  to  any  other  subjects,  than  what 
the  Gospel  designates.  For  in  this,  as  in  everything 
else,  I  can  act  in  the  name,  and  by  the  authority  only 
of  my  Lord  and  Master. 


376  MEMOIR    OP 

In  my  private  walks  and  social  intercourse  with  you, 
you  will  wish  me  to  be  blameless  as  becomes  the  min- 
ister of  Christ ;  never  prostituting  my  character,  nor 
sacrificing  the  dignity  of  my  office  to  customs  of  the 
world.  And  you  will  expect  me  also  to  reprove,  re- 
buke, and  exhort,  as  occasion  may  offer,  with  all  meek- 
ness and  mildness,  long-suffering  and  doctrine. 

My  relation  to  you,  my  dear  brethren  and  friends,  is 
inconceivably  solemn  and  interesting.  It  involves 
consequences  infinitely  momentous,  and  eternally  last- 
ing, both  as  it  respects  me,  and  as  it  respects  you. 
The  weight  of  duty  and  responsibility  devolving  on 
me  is  immense.  Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ? 
Brethren  pray  for  me. 

To  you,  my  dear  people,  is  my  character  and  my  hap- 
piness, for  this  life,  in  a  great  measure  committed.  I 
feel  that  I  'shall  need  your  utmost  candor,  tenderness, 
and  benevolence.  And  as  my  lot  is  now  cast  among 
you,  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's 
sake,  and  by  the  love  of  the  Spirit,  to  deal  kindly  and 
truly  with  my  Master,  and  with  me  for  his  sake.  Ex- 
pect not  perfection  in  a  fellow-worm;  but  remember 
that  you  have  this  treasure  in  earthen  vessels,  that  the 
excellency  of  the  power  may  be  of  God. 

Bear  it  in  remembrance,  that  the  great  object  of  my 
mission  to  you  is  the  salvation,  the  everlasting  salva- 
tion of  your  souls.  This  is  the  object  of  my  mission, 
and  this,  suffer  me  to  assure  you,  is  the  most  ardent 
desire  of  my  heart.  Take  heed,  therefore,  that  you  re- 
ceive not  the  grace  of  God  in  vain.  Remember,  that, 
if  I  am  to  watch  as  one  who  must  give  account,  so 
also  for  the  manner  in  which  you  receive  and  improve 
the  preached  Gospel,  you  jnust  account  at  the  last 
great  day.  And  as  you  receive  and  improve  it 
rightly  or  not,  your  eternal  state  will  be  determined. 
Let  me  then  entreat  you  to  give  a  strict  and  conscien- 
tious attendance  in  the  house  of  God ;  and  never  suf- 
fer yourselves  to  fall  into  habits  of  negligence  and 
sloth  on  the  Lord's  day.  Never  sufier  me  to  preach  to 
these  ivalls  ;  but  let  me,  I  entreat  you,  be  favored  with 
your   attendance,   and  with   your    solemn   attention, 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  377 

wliencvor  I  declare  in  this  place  the  messages  of  God. 
Lay  feelingly  to  heart  the  aggravated  guilt,  whicii 
must  attend  an  abuse  of  that  exhibition  of  Almighty 
love,  which  is  addressed  to  you  in  the  Gospel.  Re- 
member, that  he  that  believeth  shall  be  saved,  and  he 
that  believeth  not,  shall  be  damned. 

Welcome,  then,  I  entreat  you,  the  Gospel  of  the 
grace  of  God,  dutifully  receive  its  instructions,  and 
submit  to  its  terms,  and  let  its  holy  doctrines  and  pre- 
cepts have  constant  control  over  all  your  views,  feel- 
ings, and  conduct.  Let  your  ears,  your  understand- 
ings, your  hearts,  be  open  to  the  reception  of  the  truth 
as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

Need  I  tell  you.  that  as  your  servant  for  Jesus'  sake, 
I  will  very  gladly  spend  and  be  spent  for  you,  though 
the  more  I  may  love  you,  the  less  I  may  be  loved.  K 
there  be,  therefore,  any  consolation  in  Christ.,  if  any 
comfort  of  love,  if  any  fellowship  of  the  Spirit,  if  any 
bowels  and  mercies,  fulfill  ye  my  joy,  that  ye  be  like- 
minded,  having  the  same  love,  being  of  one  accord,  of 
one  mind. 

Finally,  brethren,  pray  for  me,  and  pray  for  your- 
selves. For  me,  that  a  great  door  and  effectual  may 
be  opened  before  me  ;  that  I  may  be  filled  with  the 
Spirit  of  God ;  obtain  grace  to  be  faithful  as  the  min- 
ister of  Christ,  and  to  come  to  you,  from  time  to  time, 
in  the  fulness  of  the  blessing  of  the  Gospel  of  peace. 
And  pray  for  yourselves,  that  the  spirit  of  grace  and 
supplication  may  be  poured  out  abundantly  upon  you, 
and  upon  your  children  ;  that  no  root  of  bitterness 
springing  up  may  trouble  you  ;  that  nothing  may  hin- 
der the  success  of  the  Gospel  ministry  in  this  place  ; 
and  that  this  gracious  dispensation  may  continually 
prove  a  savor  of  life  unto  life.  And  may  God  grant, 
that  we  all,  both  he  who  sows,  and  they  who  reap,  may 
at  last  meet  together,  and  rejoice  together  in  his  king- 
dom I " 

On  the  Sabbath  following,  or  May  1st,  Dr.  Worces- 
ter preached  an   animated  missionary  sermon, — it  be- 
ing the  time  for  a  collection  in  aid  of  the  Mass.  INIis- 
32* 


378  MEMOIR    OF 

sionary  Society.  It  was  made  very  evident,  that  he 
was  aiming  to  be  a  missionary  minister  for  the  world, 
while  not  neglectful  of  any  reasonable  service,  among 
the  people  of  his  immediate  charge.  After  a  vivid 
picture  of  the  deplorable  condition  of  the  greater  part 
of  "  the  eight  hundred  millions  of  human  inhabitants 
which  the  earth  "  was  then  "  computed  to  contain," — 
and  which  was  not  to  be  "  regarded  only  as  a  subject 
for  lamentable  and  unavailing  tears," — he  proceeded, 
with  a  glowing  spirit,  to  the  encouragements  afforded 
by  recent  exertions  of  Christians,  and  their  increasing 
obligations,  "  to  do  good  and  to  communicate,"  agree- 
ably to  the  words  of  his  text,  (Heb.  xiii :  16,)  and  the 
commandment  of  the  Savior, — "  Go,  teach  all  na- 
tions." 

The  anniversary  of  the  society  was  held  on  the  24th 
and  25th  of  the  month,  when  he  was  appointed  one  of 
the  editors  of  the  magazine,  which  was  about  to  be 
issued.  TJiirteen  clergymen  had  been  designated,  the 
year  previous,  to  publish  a  monthly  periodical  for  the 
society  ;  but  not  a  page  had  been  seen,  until  Dr.  Wor- 
cester was  called  to  fill  a  vacancy  in  the  editorial  com- 
mittee. In  June,  and  at  Salem,  the  first  Number  was 
printed, — the  new  member  of  the  committee  taking  the 
heaviest  share  of  the  labor  of  preparation  and  circula- 
tion. A  long  article  of  "  Missionary  Intelligence," 
contains  a  portion  of  his  missionary  sermon,  May  1st. 
From  this  time — through  five  volumes, — until  the 
union  of  the  Magazine  with  the  Panoplist,  June  1808, 
his  editorial  labors  were  continued  ;  and  without  them, 
it  is  questionable  whether  the  work  would  have  been 
sustained.* 

*  Dr.  Austin,  the  first  Secretary  of  the    Society,  and    Dr.  Spring,  were 
among  the  most  frequent  contributors  to  the  work. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  379 

Ardently  engaged  as  he  now  was,  in  forwarding 
every  ])art  of  the  means  and  end  of  the  Massachusetts 
Missionary  Society,  Dr.  Worcester  devoted  himself 
ehielly  to  the  duties  of  his  pastoral  office.  The  Taber- 
nacle pulpit  became  such  an  attraction,  that  the  value 
of  seats  in  the  house  rose  to  a  higher  mark,  than  had 
ever  been  known.  And,  although  there  was  a  strong 
and  confident  effort,  to  draw  off  a  portion  of  the  con- 
gregation, to  the  former  pastor,  in  a  new  enterprise — 
the  establishment  of  the  "  Branch  Church,"  * — the  peo- 
ple of  the  old  society  were  conscious  of  no  diminu- 
tion of  numbers  or  strength. 

Mr.  Spaulding  could  speak  as  boldly  as  any  man, 
"disputing  and  persuading  the  things  concerning  the 
kingdom  of  God."  His  words  had  often  been  "  in  dem- 
onstration of  the  Spirit  and  of  power."  But  for  sev- 
eral years  before  his  dismission,  he  had  entered  largely 
into  prophetical  mysteries,  and  had  preached  his  "  Mil- 
lenarian  "  expositions,  with  great  enthusiasm,  frequen- 
cy, and  vehemence.  He  also  discoursed  much  of  his 
"  Divine  Theory,"  which  as  heard,  and  since  published, 
he  did  not  expect  many  to  understand,  until  a  future 
age;  and  which,  it  has  been  more  than  doubted, 
whether  he  vmderstood  any  better  himself,  than  if  he 
had  been  thinking  and  speaking  "in  an  unknown 
tongue." 

After  such  discussions,  and  particularly  after  the 
long  and  painful  dispute,  concerning  his  claim  to 
negative  the  voice  of  the  brethren, — far  the  more  pain- 
ful, because  he  had  been  so  much  beloved,  and  his 
sincerity   and   integrity  were    so    unquestionable, — it 


*  Formed  Dec.  29, 1803.  Became  Presbyterian,  in  1815,  and  reassumed 
Congregationalism  in  1S2S.  It  was  called  ''  The  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
in  Salem,"  in  1S24  ;  but,  in  182S,  look  the  name  ol"  Howard  Street." 


380  MEMOIR    OF 

was  accounted  a  luxury  to  listen  to  discourses,  so  defi- 
nite and  timely  in  subject,  so  distinct  and  luminous 
in  method,  so  logical  and  convincing  in  argument,  so 
persuasive  in  application,  as  those  of  his  successor. 

All  were  struck  with  the  modesty  of  Dr.  Worces- 
ter's manner,  as  contrasted  with  the  power  of  his 
thoughts ;  especially  when  he  put  forth  his  strength. 
Upon  some  subjects,  he,  of  course,  did  not  expend  his 
best  energies.  He  needed  to  be  roused  for  the  pulpit, 
as  also  for  conversation ;  in  which  many  might  often 
have  felt  themselves  his  equal  or  superior,  who  very 
soon  might  see,  that  they  had  committed  a  grand  mis- 
take. One  of  his  professional  hearers  compared  his 
"  reasoning  to  a  large  wheel,  which  revolved  with  pro- 
digious power,  and  so  put  its  adjunct  machinery  into 
operation,  that  every  turn  it  made,  it  came  nearer  and 
nearer  to  the  completion  of  its  work, — with  pleasure 
and  admiration  to  the  spectators." 

While  all  his  sermons  were  instructive,  his  great 
strength  required  a  great  pressure.  He  could  summon 
it,  as  did  the  son  of  Manoah,  when  he  smote  the  Phil- 
istines, after  they  had  "  come  up  and  burnt  his  wife, 
and  her  father  with  fire." 

It  would  have  been  strange,  if  at  the  beginning  of 
his  ministry  in  Salem,  he  had  not  aimed  to  do  his 
best,  and  to  make  the  most  favorable  impression  upon 
those  in  the  surrounding  community,  whose  sympa- 
thies" gave  a  decided  preference  to  the  Arminian,  or 
<' liberal"  expositions  of  doctrine.  Educated  men  and 
others,  claiming  to  be  in  the  highest  ranks  of  social 
position  and  influence,  were  affected  by  the  personal 
character  and  the  ministrations  of  Dr.  Worcester,  as 
no  other  man  in  Salem,  or  elsewhere,  had  affected  them. 
It  was  too  obvious  to  escape  notice,  that  the  tone  of 


SAMUEL    AVORCESTER. 


381 


remark  upon  his  distinctive  sentiments  was  more 
moderate,  kind,  and  respectful.  It  was  seen  and  felt, 
that  the  ^''  otihndo.rij''^  of  the  Bible,  as  Ik;  preached  it 
and  exemplilied  it,  is  neither  incompatible  with  good 
taste  nor  good  sense,  enlightened  reason  nor  eminent 
scholarship  ;  and  that,  in  its  true  and  legitimate  fruits, 
it  is  not  at  all  the  "«;'7oo«///"  Calvinism,  which  they 
had  been  accustomed  to  dread,  as  they  would  the  con- 
tagion of  a  pestilence.  And  it  was  for  the  marked 
advantage  of  the  cause  of  evangelical  and  experi- 
mental religion  in  Salem  and  the  vicinity,  from  the 
very  first  months  of  Dr.  Worcester's  labors  at  the 
Tabernacle,  as  it  has  been  ever  since,  that  "  the  doc- 
trine according  to  godliness,"  as  held  by  our  New 
England  forefathers,  was  commended  to  every  man's 
conscience,  from  the  Scriptures  both  of  the  New  and 
the  Old  Testament ;  without  the  least  measure  of  rant 
or  rhapsody,  declamation  or  denunciation,  but  with 
indisputable  power  of  argument,  and  universally  ac- 
knowledged delicacy  and  refinement  of  taste. 

In  his  first  ministrations  in  Salem,  and  certainly  no 
less  afterwards,  strangers  and  casual  hearers  were  as 
much  arrested  by  his  mode  of  prayer,  as  by  his  style 
of  preaching.  His  addresses  to  the  Throne  of  Grace 
were  always  solemn  and  fervent,  abounding  in  the 
richest  scriptural  expression  or  allusion,  and  impres- 
sively adapted  to  the  particular  scenes,  situations,  and 
circumstances  of  those,  for  whom  with  the  "  giving  of 
thanks,"  he  "made  supplications,  prayers,  interces- 
sions." But  he  was  generally  slow,  and  his  utterance 
hesitating,  rather  than  fluent ;  sometimes  seemingly 
waiting  for  the  right  word  to  come  to  its  place. 
It  was  more  than  once  or  thrice  suggested  to  him,  that 
he  might  not  be  aware  how  long  he  was  engaged  in 


382  MEMOIR    OP 

what  is  usually  called  "  the  long  prayer^  He  was 
grieved.  His  patience  was  disquieted.  It  was  a 
thought  that  distressed  him  greatly,  that  any  of  his 
people  should  be  wearied  by  his  devotional  services  ; 
such  was  his  own  habitual  conception  of  the  privilege 
and  efficacy  of  prayer,  and  its  exalted  dignity  and 
grandeur,  as  a  part  of  the  solemnities  of  public  wor- 
ship. He  could  not  have  been  conscious,  that  thirty- 
five,  or  even  forty  minutes  had  sometimes  \)^^?>e A  away, 
when  not  more  than  half  the  number  would  have  been 
prescribed  by  himself,  as  a  reasonable  or  appropriate 
limit.* — While  never  otherwise  than  elevated,  copious, 
and  earnest,  there  were  many  seasons  when  all  would 
say  in  their  hearts, — "  How  dreadful  is  this  place  I" 
And  not  unfrequently  did  he  seem  to  ascend  like  Mo- 
ses, to  the  very  summit  of  the  Mount,  and  commune 
with  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  as  did  that  man  of  God, 
when  he  had  left  all  the  children  of  Israel  in  the  plain 
below. 

Somewhat  less  than  half  a  year  from  the  time  of  his 
installation,  he  was  considerably  disturbed,  while  his 
people  were  greatly  excited — many  of  them  irritated^ — 
by  his  appointment  to  the  Professorship  of  Divinity, 
at  Dartmouth  College.  He  had  been  consulted  earlier 
than  they  had  known  ;  and  had  treated  the  subject 
with  his  wonted  carefulness.  His  impressions  and 
feelings  were  freely  spoken  to  his  brother  at  Peacham, 

*  His  brother  Noah  was  more  free  in  his  utterance.  He  once  prayed,  at 
an  ordination,  for  a  lohole  hoar  ;  and  yet  never  repeated  a  sentiment  or  an 
expression  I — In  those  days,  it  was  more  common  to  see  a  person  standing 
in  the  time  of  sermon,  than  to  see  one  silting  in  prayer.  The  posture  of 
sitting,  at  such  a  time,  would  have  been  taken  at  once,  as  a  token  of  sudden 
illness,  except  in  cases  of  very  aged  people,  and  those  of  known  chronic 
infirmity  ;  or  would  have  been  considered  an  inexcusable  indecorum,  as 
well  as  a  sin  of  gross  irreverence.  Hence,  some  would  stand,  lest  they 
should  excite  alarm  by  sitting  I 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  383 

who  was  ihc  first  to  communicate  the  wishes  of  a  part 
of  the  Trustees,  among  whom  there  was  not  an  entire 
concurrence  of  theok)gical  predilections. 

Rev.  Leonard  Worcester'. 

"  Salem,  Jul//  20,  1803. 
My  dear  Brother, — 

Your  favor,  written  at  the  instance  of  Judge  Niles, 
I  received  this  morning.  But  what  shall  I  say,  in  re- 
gard to  the  object  in  question  ?  In  the  first  place,  I 
will  say,  that,  in  my  mind,  there  is  not  the  least  proba- 
bility, should  an  attempt  be  made,  such  as  Judge  Niles 
proposes,  that  it  would  succeed.  I  am  known,  or  sup- 
posed, to  have  too  much  decision  about  me,  on  certain 
theological  ground,  for  the  views  of  the  Trustees  of 
Dartmouth  University.  In  the  second  place,  I  never 
feel  myself  prepared  to  determine  with  respect  to  any 
object,  and  especially  one  of  such  magnitude  as  that 
now  presented,  until  it  be  placed  in  full  view.  In  de- 
termining what  is  duty,  in  cases  of  this  nature,  many 
circumstances  are  to  be  taken  into  consideration. 

Questions,  relative  to  settling  as  a  minister  in  any 
particular  place,  or  relative  to  accepting  an  appoint- 
ment to  any  important  ofl^ce,  are  almost  always  placed 
in  a  very  different  light,  after  the  call  is  given,  or  the 
election  declared,  from  any  in  which  they  can  be  pre- 
viously contemplated.  This  I  have  found  by  expe- 
rience. I  cannot,  therefore,  feel  myself  at  liberty  to 
say  positively,  either  yes,  or  no,  to  the  question  indi- 
rectly proposed,  in  the  present  case.  Leaving  the 
question  of  personal  qualification  out  of  the  account, 
in  the  improbable  event  of  my  election  to  the  impor- 
tant office  in  view,  I  conceive,  that  I  should  be  placed 
in  a  very  embarrassed  state  of  mind.  My  present 
situation,  is,  in  many  respects,  very  agreeable  and 
very  important.  The  least  suggestion  of  my  removal 
would  be,  in  their  present  state  of  feeling,  like  a  thun- 
der-clap to  this  people  ;  and,  if  it  would  not  savor  too 
much  of  vanity,  I  might  say,  to  this  vicinif//. 


384  MEMOIR    OF 

But,  it  will  not  always  be,  as  it  is  now.  You  know, 
my  brother,  and  I  know,  that  the  public  opinion  re- 
specting my  talents  and  acquirements  has  always 
been  a  great  deal  too  high ;  a  circumstance,  which  has 
been  to  me  a  most  fruitful  source  of  solicitude.  But 
not  to  digress ;  I  am  free  to  acknowledge  to  you,  that, 
were  there  no  circumstances  to  render  my  acceptance 
of  it  inconsistent,  the  office  of  Theological  Professor 
would  not  be  very  repugnant  to  my  personal  inclina- 
tions. I  am  fond  of  retirement  and  study ;  and,  if  I 
do  not  misjudge,  am,  by  nature  or  by  habit,  better 
fitted  to  excel,  as  a  theological  lecturer,  than  as  the 
pastor  of  a  parish.  On  the  whole,  I  can  only  say, 
that,  in  my  present  view,  an  attempt  to  secure  my 
election  would  be  totally  abortive  ;  and,  in  the  event 
of  an  election,  my  acceptance  would  be  very  doubtful, 
perhaps  I  should  say  improbable. 

Please  to  inform  Judge  Niles,  that  I  have  a  grateful 
sense  of  his  respectful  sentiments.     *     *     * 

No  news,  unless  it  be  that  INIr.  Emerson's  ordination 
at  Beverly  is  appointed  to  be  on  the  21st  September. 
All  well  at  Hollis.     *     *     * 

Our  best  love  to  yourself  and  friends. 

Samuel  Worcester." 

After  the  election,  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Col- 
lege came  to  urge  his  acceptance  of  the  office.  A  few 
of  the  members  of  the  church  were  invited  to  a  con- 
sultation with  him,  at  the  pastor's  study.  They  could 
ill  keep  their  patience,  so  as  to  speak  peaceably. — 
"  You  must  consider,"  said  one  of  them  to  Rev.  Mr. 
Merrill,  (of  Middlebury,  Vt.,)  "  that  it  is  no  easy  thing 
for  us,  to  obtain  such  a  minister,  as  we  need  in  this 
place." — "  Easier  much^^^  he  replied,  "  than  for  us  to 
find  a  suitable  man  for  Professor  of  Divinitv,  at  Dart- 
mouth  College." 

The  question,  as  now  submitted  to  Dr.  Worcester, 
was  in  truth  the  most  perplexing,  which  he  had  ever 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  385 

been  called  to  decide.  lie  stipulated  for  the  largest 
allowance  of  time,  before  deciding  ;  not  by  any  means 
sure,  that  he  should  not  be  constrained  to  answer  af- 
firmatively. His  friends  almost  insisted,  that  he  should 
decline  the  appointment  forthwith.  But  he  felt,  that 
they  were  not  disinterested  judges  in  the  case.  He 
gave  them  to  understand,  that  he  had  no  desire  to 
leave  Salem;  wished  only  to  know  what  God  would 
direct ;  and,  meanwhile,  preferred  that  they  should 
labor  together,  and  make  the  most  of  the  promising 
appearances  of  spiritual  ingathering. 

Rev,  Leonard  Worcester, 

"  Salem,  Dec.  14,  1803. 
Dear  Brother, — 

The  product  of  your  '  dull  epistolary  pen,'  of  the  8th 
ultimo,  has  at  length  come  to  hand.  You  have  some 
reason,  I  acknowledge,  to  suppose  my  pen  to  be  in  a 
condition  not  very  good.  I  will  not  undertake  a  justi- 
fication of  my  neglect;  for  it  is  not  to  be  justified. 
Li  what  follows,  however,  you  may  possibly  find  some 
apology  for  me.  It  has  pleased  Him,  with  whom  is 
the  residue  of  the  Spirit,  and  who  is  a  Sovereign  in 
all  his  dispensations,  to  favor  my  society  with  a  sprink- 
ling-,  (perhaps  I  ought  not  to  use  so  diminutive  a 
word,) — of  gracious  influences.  It  is  now  three  or 
four  months,  since  the  first  instances  of  awakening  ap- 
peared. The  work  has  been  spreading  rather  slowdy  ; 
but  at  present  appears  to  be  on  a  more  rapid  increase. 
We  have  between  twenty  and  thirty  very  hopeful 
cases ;  and  about  as  many  more  are  known  to  be  now 
under  pretty  pungent  convictions.  Our  meetings  are 
very  full  and  very  solemn,  and  both  in  fulness  and 
solemnity  are  w^eekly  increasing. 

My  labors  are  great.  Besides  a  lecture  pretty  con- 
stantly on  Sabbath  evening,  I  have  a  weekly  lecture 
and  three  other  weekly  meetings.     In  addition  to  these , 

33 


386  MEMOIR    OP 

as  we  are  visited  with  a  fever,  which  is  very  prevalent, 
I  have  from  ten  to  fifteen  notes  on  a  Sabbath,  which 
require  visits  ;  and,  to  close  the  account,  the  attention 
which  I  am  obliged  to  give  to  the  Magazine  is  not  in- 
considerable. You  will  judge  for  yourself,  whether  I 
have  much  leisure  to  use  my  '  epistolary  pen,'  even 
though  called  upon  by  the  best  of  brothers. 

With  this  I  shall  forward,  according  to  direction, 
two  copies  of  each  of  the  first  seven  numbers  of  the 
M.  M.  Magazine.  We  have  lately,  however,  made  a 
deposit  for  the  Magazines  with  Mr.  Lang,  at  Hano- 
ver, near  the  College.  Perhaps  you  will  find  it  less 
expensive  to  get  them  there  in  future ;  as  the  price  at 
Hanover  will  be  no  higher,  than  it  is  here.  Please  to 
communicate  this  intelligence  in  your  region.  The 
Magazine  succeeds  beyond  expectation  ;  but  you  will 
be  pleased  to  receive  it  as  general  orders^  that  the 
'  coiys  de  reserve '  come  forward  to  action,  imme- 
diately I 

Should  I  tell  you  how  my  mind  stands  in  regard  to 
my  late  appointment,  you  would  know  more  than  I 
deem  it  proper  for  any  of  my  friends  at  present  to 
know.  My  answer  will  probably  not  be  given  before 
spring. 

Our  most  affectionate  remembrances. 

Samuel  Worcester.'^ 

As  intimated  in  the  letter  above,  he  visited  much 
among  his  people.  He  was  gladdened  by  their  joys, 
and  made  sad  by  their  sori'ows.  If  they  respected  and 
revered  him,  as  he  stood  in  the  sanctuary,  they  loved 
him  as  a  man  and  a  friend,  the  more  they  saw  of  him, 
at  their  fire-sides,  and  in  the  chamber  of  sickness  and 
bereavement.  His  interest  in  their  trials  was  gratefully 
reciprocated;  and  never  more  than  when  himself  called 
into  special  affliction.  The  hand  of  God  touched  him 
again,  and  with  a  still  heavier  weight,  than  when  he 
first,  and  so  recently,  mourned  as  a  father. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  387 

His  family  attachments  were  very  strong.  It  was 
his  practice  to  write  to  some  of  his  near  relatives,  in 
their  respective  places  of  residence,  whenever  he  was 
thus  afllicted.  But  no  one  so  carefully  preserved  all 
his  letters,  as  the  brother  whose  files  have  been  found 
so  serviceable. 

Rev,  Leonard  Worcester. 

"  Sale7n,  Jan.  31,  1804. 
My  dear  brother, — 

The  Sovereign  Dispenser  of  mercies  and  afflictions, 
all  whose  counsels  and  works  are  perfect,  has  seen  it 
needful,  that  we  should  experience  still  further  correc- 
tion. He  has  smitten  us  again.  He  has  smitten  us 
with  a  sudden  and  most  grievous  stroke.  He  has 
taken  away  from  us  our  only  daughter,  our  dear  Zervia 
Fidelia !  For  several  days  she  had  been  unwell ;  but 
she  had  gotten  relief,  and,  on  Friday  last,  was  lively 
and  brisk  at  her  play.  On  the  evening  of  the  same 
day,  we  perceived  that  she  had  renewed  her  cold,  and 
during  the  night  were  attentive  to  her,  administering 
such  things,  as  we  supposed  suitable.  On  Saturday 
morning,  she  appeared  to  be  better,  and  during  the 
forenoon  sat  up  and  amused  herself  with  her  little 
things.  About  noon,  we  discovered  an  alteration  for 
the  worse  ;  our  physician  came  in  and  confirmed  our 
apprehensions  of  the  quinsy. 

In  the  evening,  he  thought  her  symptoms  less  threat- 
ening. She  continued  with  very  little  alteration,  until 
some  time  past  midnight,  when  we  perceived  her 
breathing  to  grow  worse.  Two  physicians  were  called 
in.  She  was  put  into  a  warm  bath,  was  bled,  and 
had  every  means  used  which  the  skill  of  the  physicians 
could  suggest.  But  her  bounds  were  set ;  her  disorder 
hastened  with  amazing  rapidity  to  its  fatal  crisis ;  and 
about  six  o'clock  on  Sabbath  morning,  she  expired! 
Thus  were  all  our  fond  hopes  and  expectations,  res- 
pecting the  dear  object  of  our  first  parental  affections, 
cut  off  in  a  moment  I     Thus  transient  and  delusory 


388  MEMOIR    OP 

are  all  our  hopes  of  earthly  bliss!  Our  poor  little 
Samuel  is  now  left  alone.  How  long  the  sovereign 
Giver  of  all  our  blessings  has  determined,  that  we 
should  enjoy  him,  we  know  not.  But  sure  I  am,  I 
feel  at  present,  that  no  dependence  is  to  be  placed  on 
anything  here  below.  It  is  right  it  should  be  so  ;  I 
think  I  feel  it  to  be  right.  My  only  ground  of  support 
and  consolation  is,  that  all  things  are  in  the  hands  of 
inhnite  Wisdom,  who  knows  better  what  is  s^ood  for 
us,  than  we  ourselves  do.  Had  I  not  this  confidence, 
the  shock,  I  have  now  sustained,  would  be  insupport- 
able. 

Pray  for  us,  my  dear  brother,  and  accept  for  your- 
self, our  dear  sister  and  your  children,  the  assurances 
of  our  most  affectionate  love. 

Your  afflicted  brother, 

Samuel  Worcester." 

In  his  preaching,  during  this  period,  as  in  other 
seasons  of  revival,  he  was  careful  to  exhibit  in  bold 
relief,  the  perfections  and  law  of  God,  and  the  utter 
guilt  and  hopelessness  of  the  condition  of  the  impeni- 
tent, except  as  they  should  humble  themselves  at  the 
cross  of  Christ.  Before  giving  counsel  to  the  anxious, 
he  sought  to  know  their  precise  state  of  mind ;  for  ex- 
ample, lohy  they  were  troubled  and  what  they  desired 
to  obtain.  Though  faithful  and  searching,  he  was 
always  gentle  and  affectionate.  He  ventm-ed  upon  no 
experiments  of  harshness  ;  believing  that  sinners  are 
more  likely  to  be  c?ra^^?^,  than  driven^inio  the  kingdom 
of  Christ.  Such  was  his  uniform  manner.  As  he 
began,  at  Fitchburg ;  so  he  finished,  at  Salem. 

"  I  wish  so  to  preach,"  he  remarked  to  a  friend,  "  that 
my  impenitent  hearers  shall  at  least  be  convinced,  that 
I  have  a  sincere  love  for  their  souls,  and  that  my 
greatest  desire  is  for  their  salvation."  And  alluding 
to  some  church-members,  who  were  quite  too  forward 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  389 

in  conversation  with  awakened  persons, — "  I  wonder 
how  they  can  be  so !  It  appears  to  me  a  most  solemn 
responsibility  for  any  one  to  take,  when  he  attempts  to 
guide  a  soul,  that  is  under  the  operation  of  the  Spirit. 
For  my  part,  I  never  so  feel  my  incompetency  and  my 
dependence,  as  in  such  circumstances. — I  tremble,  lest 
I  should,  in  some  way,  come  between  the  work  of  the 
Spirit  and  the  designed  effect."*  And  those  who 
claimed  to  be  teachers  and  leaders,  he  could  not  al- 
ways trust  In  1816,  he  brought  many  tears  from  the 
eyes  of  a  certain  evanglist,  one  of  the  forerunners,  in 
the  use  of  what  have  since  been  called  "  new  mea- 
sures ;"  and  whom,  he  kindly  but  thoroughly  admon- 
ished, because  in  his  zeal  for  revivals,  he  had  dis- 
paraged the  regular  means  of  grace,  and  could  see  no 
signs  of  promise,  but  in  passionate  emotion  and  com- 
motion. 

While  a  most  ardent  co-worker,  in  God's  method  of 
reviving  his  work,  he  was  peculiarly  anxious,  in  the 
revival  of  1803-4,  that  no  enthusiasm  or  extravagance 
of  any  kind  should  give  the  enemy  an  occasion  to 
blaspheme.  And,  perhaps,  in  the  beginning  of  the 
present  century,  there  was  no  community  in  New  Eng- 
land, in  which  it  w^as  more  important,  that  a  genuine 
revival  of  religion  should  be  seen  in  its  legitimate 
*'  power  of  God  unto  salvation."  Nearly  one  hundred 
were,  at  this  time,  added  to  the  church. 

The  minds  of  the  people  had  been  somewhat  quiet- 

*  "  I  can  think  of  no  responsibility  out  of  the  pulpit,  so  great,  as  that  of 
guiding  anxious  souls  to  Christ.  What  a  fearful  thing  to  direct  them  wrong ! 
And  what  deep  knowledge  of  the  plan  of  salvation  and  the  windings  of  the 
human  heart,  does  it  require,  to  direct  them  right ;  to  silence  their  objections  ; 
to  drive  them  from  their  false  refuges,  and  to  bring  them,  despairing  of  help 
from  every  other  quarter,  to  the  foot  of  the  cross  V'—Dr,  Humphrey's  Pastoral 
Letters. 

33* 


390  MEMOIR    OF 

ed,  in  regard  to  the  appointment  by  the  Trustees  of 
Dartmouth  College  ;  yet  were  kept  in  suspense,  so  long 
as  their  pastor  withheld  his  formal  decision.  He  at 
last  obtained  the  consent  of  the  church  to  unite  with 
him,  in  calling  a  meeting  of  ministerial  brethren,  as  a 
committee  of  advice,  to  whom  the  whole  subject  might 
be  referred,  with  the  understanding,  that  he  would 
abide  the  result  of  their  consultations. 

The  Committee  met  in  June.  Rev.  Noah  Worces- 
ter appeared  before  them,  on  behalf  of  the  College,  and 
urgently  pressed  the  claims  of  the  Trustees  and  the 
numerous  friends  of  the  institution.  He  was  con- 
scientiously of  the  opinion,  that  the  Church  ought  to 
release  his  brother, — great  as  might  be  the  sacrifice  of 
feeling  and  expectation.  It  was  argued,  mainly, — that 
it  was  very  difficult  to  find  a  competent  man,  to  fill 
the  office  of  Professor  of  Divinity ;  that  the  office  was 
of  paramount  importance  to  that  of  pastor  of  a  church ; 
that  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Worcester  had  given  great 
satisfaction;  and  that  the  guardians  of  the  College 
would  be  much  discouraged,  while  great  numbers  in 
the  community  would  exceedingly  regret  a  failure  to 
"  secure  his  services.  It  should  also  be  known,  that 
there  was  a  confidential  intimation,  that,  if  the  office 
were  accepted,  he  might  expect,  at  no  distant  day,  to 
be  elevated  to  the  presidency  of  the  College. 

It  was  answered  by  the  Committee  of  the  Church, 
that  their  pastor's  present  sphere  of  usefulness  was 
most  ample  ;  that  the  evident  smiles  of  Providence 
rested  upon  his  labors ;  that  his  removal  would  be 
severely  felt  in  the  town  and  the  region,  as  well  as 
among  his  own  people  ;  and  that,  after  so  short  a  set- 
tlement, and  after  so  long  a  period  of  previous  trials  in 
the  Church  and  Society,  it  was  far  too  much,  even  for 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  391 

the  guardians  of  so  important  an  institution  of  learn- 
ing and  religion,  to  expect  a  relinquishment  of  their 
claims. 

The  Committee  of  ministerial  brethren  unanimous- 
ly decided,  that  it  was  not  expedient  for  him  to  accept 
the  appointment.  In  this  decision,  he  acquiesced,  as 
if  the  plain  intimation  of  the  divine  will. 

After  he  had  rested  from  all  his  labors,  it  w^as  said 
of  him,  in  respect  to  this  part  of  his  life  ; — "  Never  did 
a  man  act  with  a  more  conscientious  regard  to  the 
will  of  God,  than  your  pastor,  in  declining  this  invita- 
tion. In  a  conversation  held  with  him,  but  a  few 
weeks  previous  to  his  final  departure  from  us,  the 
speaker  well  recollects  his  referring  to  this  instance  in 
his  history,  as  illustrating  a  principle,  which,  he  said, 
had  ever  been  the  rule  of  his  conduct.  '  I  cast  my- 
self,' said  he,  '  upon  Providence,  leaving  it  to  the 
Committee,  who  were  called  upon  the  occasion,  to  say, 
after  receiving  all  the  light  which  could  be  thrown 
upon  the  subject,  whether  I  should  go,  or  whether  I 
should  remain.  And  having  left  it  there,'  he  added,  'I 
know  not  that  I  felt  the  least  anxiety  for  the  result, 
either  before,  or  after  it  was  made  known.'  "* 

He  was  afterwards  repeatedly  solicited  to  accept  of 
the  highest  office  in  our  literary  institutions  ;  but  de- 
clined every  offer  of  appointment.  He  hardly  thought 
it  necessary  to  inquire  concerning  his  duty,  in  any 
other  circumstances  like  those  just  reviewed. 

In  each  succeeding  year,  it  was  still  more  evident, 
that  Dr.  Worcester  loved  the  Tabernacle  pulpit  as  his 
very  life.  Whatever  was  the  state  of  his  health  or  the 
pressure  of  his  engagements,  he  could  not  allow  him- 
self to  enter  it,  with  a  merely  impulsive  or  unhnished 

*  Rev.  E.  Cornelius'  Sermons,  tS:c. 


892  MEMOIR    OF 

preparation.  At  Salem,  as  before  in  Fitchburg,  he 
never  permitted  any  duties  as  a  pastor,  to  take  pre- 
cedence of  his  labors  as  a  preacher.  He  considered  it 
a  breach  of  trust,  and  disrespectful  to  a  congregation, 
to  claim  their  attention  to  hasty  and  undigested  dis- 
cussions, expositions,  or  exhortations.  He  magnified 
his  office,  as  commissioned  from  above,  to  elevate  the 
mass  of  mind  around  him,  and  contribute,  in  a  pre- 
eminent degree,  to  the  development  of  that  sym- 
metrical and  finished  mode  of  character,  by  which  the 
world  has  the  most  perfect  demonstration,  that 

"  The  Christian  is  the  highest  style  of  man." 

In  a  Sermon,  at  the  ordination  of  Rev.  David  Jewett, 
Oct.  30,  1805,  he  remarked,  "  that  a  people  must  be 
very  unwise,  if  they  be  unwilling  that  their  minister 
should  study,  and  \VTite  his  public  discourses." 

"  If  divine  knowledge  be  of  such  vast  importance,  it 
is  certainly  very  important,  that  the  discourses  from 
the  desk  be  as  clear,  coherent,  and  instructive,  as  pos- 
sible. But  it  will  be  conceded  on  all  hands,  that  al- 
most any  minister  may,  by  study  and  writing,  prepare 
more  instructive  discourses,  than  he  has  any  right  to 
expect  he  shall  be  able  to  deliver,  without  this  pre- 
paration. It  is  also  worthy  of  consideration,  that 
there  is  no  other  way,  in  which  a  minister  can  make 
so  great  progress  in  divine  knowledge,  or  enrich  his 
own  mind  so  fast,  as  by  that  kind  of  study  and  exer- 
cise, which  he  must  use  in  WTiting  his  discourses. 

Almost  any  man,  no  doubt,  of  tolerable  abilities, 
and  acquaintance  with  the  Scriptures,  may  stand  forth, 
and  without  any  previous  study,  utter  for  half  an  hour, 
or  an  hour,  very  good  things.  But  could  he  not, 
probably,  have  delivered  a  more  insti'uctive  and  useful 
discourse,  had  he  prepared,  by  previous  study,  and 
writing,  for  the  occasion?  It  is  a  further  question  of 
still  higher  consideration,  whether  any  man,  if  he 
neglect  study  and  writing,  and  Sabbath  after  Sabbath, 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


393 


depend  upon  his  thon2:hts  at  the  moment,  for  his  pub- 
lic discourses,  will  be  liUely,  for  a  course  of  months  and 
years,  to  bring  forth  from  his  treasures  things  neio  and 
oh/,  and  coninuuiicate  as  much  instruction  to  his  peo- 
ple, as  if  he  had  accustomed  himself  studiously  to  write 
his  discourses.  The  question  is  not,  whether  a  man 
can  preach  without  writing,  for  almost  any  one  may 
do  this ;  but  can  he  preach  as  well,  and  for  a  course  of 
months  and  years,  be  as  useful  to  his  people,  without 
writing  as  with  it? 

Some,  who  are  in  the  practice  of  writing  their  ser- 
mons and  some  who  are  not,  we  have  reason  to  hope 
and  believe,  arc  true  ministers  of  Christ,  and  as  such 
are  owned  by  him  and  blest.  On  the  other  hand,  there 
is  reason  to  fear  and  believe,  that  some,  who  are  in 
the  practice  of  writing,  and  some  who  are  not,  have 
never  been  sent  by  Christ,  and  will  never  be  acknow- 
ledged by  him.  Certain  it  is,  that  some  of  the  most 
zealous  and  popular  preachers  without  writing,  have 
turned  out  in  the  end  the  most  notorious  impostors. 
Writing,  therefore,  is  no  evidence,  that  the  preacher  is 
not  a  true  minister  of  Christ;  nor  is  preaching  without 
waiting,  any  evidence  that  he  is. 

In  reply  to  those  mistaken  people,  who  suppose  that 
if  a  minister  preach  w^ithout  writing,  he  can  only  de- 
liver what  is  immediately  dictated  to  him  by  the  Spirit 
of  God  ;  not  to  mention  again  that  the  days  of  special 
inspiration  are  past;  it  may  suffice  to  ask.  Why  may 
not  a  minister  have  the  assistance  of  the  Divine  Spirit 
when  deliberately,  and  prayerfully,  preparing  his  ser- 
mons in  his  study,  as  well  as  when  delivering  them 
extemporaneously  from  the  desk  ? 

It  is  even  pretended,  indeed,  by  some,  that  delivering 
sermons  by  note  is  not  preaching.  But  what  is  preach- 
ing, but  publishing,  or  publicly  declaring,  the  gospel  ? 
And  is  not  he  the  best  preacher,  whether  with,  or  with- 
out notes,  who  declares  the  Gospel  in  the  most  clear, 
instructive,  forcible,  and  impressive  manner?  I  re- 
member but  one  place  in  the  Scriptures,  where  preach- 
ing is  mentioned,  in  such  a  manner  as  certainly  to  de- 
termine, whether  it  were   done  by  reading,  or  without 


394  MEMOIR    OP 

book  :  that  is  in  the  fifteenth  of  Acts,  where  we  are  told, 
that  Moses  hath  of  old  time,  in  every  city,  them  that 
PREACH  him,  being'  read  every  sabbath  day  in  the  syna- 
gogue. 

If  the  minister  will  commit  what  he  has  written  to 
his  memory,  or  prepare  himself  well  by  previous  study 
without  writing,  it  must  be  acknowledged,  that,  in 
respect  to  the  delivery  of  his  discourses,  he  may  find 
an  advantage.  Every  minister,  however,  ought  so  far 
to  know  himself,  and  his  gifts,  as  to  judge,  with  some 
correctness,  in  what  way  he  is  likely  to  be  on  the 
whole,  the  most  useful  to  his  people  ;  and  that  way, 
without  conferring  with  flesh  and  blood,  he  ought  con- 
scientiously to  pursue.  And  though  at  times  he  may 
find  it  necessary  to  perform  his  public  services,  with- 
out much  previous  study ;  yet  he  ought  never  to  forget, 
that  the  Lord  hath  required  beaten  oil  for  the  use  of 
his  sanctuary." 

His  Sermons,  at  Fitchburg,  were  about  four  hundred. 
As  before  stated,  he  wrote  them  with  much  attention 
to  every  quality,  both  of  matter  and  of  style.  Great 
as  was  his  temptation  to  draw  upon  them,  seven  or 
eight  years  had  passed  away,  before  the  temptation 
had  become  very  troublesome.  At  length,  however, 
he  saw,  as  he  thought,  that  he  was  in  serious  danger 
from  this  source.  He  gathered  all  those  Sermons  to- 
gether, and  reserving  but  a  small  parcel,  he  committed 
the  rest  to  the  flames ! 

When  interrogated  upon  the  wisdom  of  this  sacri- 
fice, he  answered  very  seriously  :  "  I  found,  that  I  was 
making  crutches  of  them."  It  was  said  to  him,  "  I  am 
afraid  that  you  have  put  out  a  great  deal  of  light;" — 
to  which  he  facetiously  responded;  "  I  suspect  that  the 
illumination  of  the  kitchen  was  as  great,  as  would 
have  been  given  to  others." 

Like  the  apostles,  he  was  no  less  solicitous,  that 


SAMUEL     WORCESTER.  395 

church-members  should  grow  in  grace,  and  adorn  their 
profession,  than  that  the  impenitent  should  be  awak- 
ened. Many  of  his  best  sermons  were  composed,  as  if 
in  prayer  upon  his  knees  in  their  especial  behalf. 
There  were  times  when  his  "rod"  was  felt;  but  it  was 
ever  applied  "  in  love." — It  was  not  in  him  ever  to 
address  church-members,  with  upbraiding  and  crimi- 
nation, as  if  deserving  to  be  scourged,  to  the  great 
pleasure  of  the  rest  of  the  congregation.  He  felt  at 
liberty  to  speak  to  them,  when  in  their  own  regular 
meeting,  as  he  would  not  in  a  promiscuous  assembly. 
Keenly  sensitive  to  every  injury  inflicted  upon  the 
Church  as  a  body,  by  the  reproachful  conduct  of  indi- 
viduals, he  exhorted  and  warned  with  all  long-suffering. 
But  "  to  feed  the  church  of  God"  was  his  delight. 

His  private  admonitions  were  not  withheld,  in  ap- 
propriate circumstances.  Much  was  done  for  "reproof" 
and  for  "  correction,"  as  well  as  "doctrine"  and  "  in- 
struction in  righteousness,"  at  the  regular  lectures,  pre- 
paratory to  the  Lord's  Supper,  which  was  administered 
on  the  first  Sabbath  of  each  month.*  In  these,  in  ser- 
mons immediately  preceding  the  administration  of  the 
ordinance,  and  in  his  extemporaneous  addresses  at  the 
table  of  communion,  there  was  usually  an  unction  of 
solemn  tenderness,  as  if  he  had  just  been  baptized 
afresh,  into  the  spirit  of  the  dying  Redeemer. 

Let  the  subject  of  his  discourse,  however,  be  what 
it  might,  he  seldom  preached,  without  a  word  in  sea- 
son for  every  one,  whether  of  the  Church  or  the  Con- 
gregation. And  it  is  worthy  of  particular  remark, 
that  he  was  accustomed  to  watch  his  people,  in  regard 

*  This  custom  in  the  Salem  churches  began,  doubtless,  in  the  First 
Church.  "  1660,  Sept.  10.  It  is  agreed  that  the  Lord's  Supper  be  observed 
once  a  moiwhr— Annals  of  Salem,  Vol.  II.  p.  583. 


896  MEMOIR    OF 

to  attentiveness ;  and  his  hopes  of  the  conversion  of 
the  impenitent  were  much  affected  by  his  observation 
of  their  habits  in  this  respect.  He  anticipated  a  stable 
and  consistent  piety,  from  those  who  had  been  wake- 
ful and  serious  hearers,  before  professing  to  have  passed 
from  death  unto  life.  And  he  placed  more  reliance 
upon  tokens  of  uniform,  habitual  interest  in  the  ser- 
vices of  the  sanctuary,  as  affording  evidence  of  a  heart 
"  sound  in  the  faith,"  than  upon  any  of  the  most  fluent 
and  confident  professions 

"  Of  inward  joys  and  sins  forgiven," 

Beside  miscellaneous  preaching,  he  delivered 
courses  of  sermons,  so  as  to  present  important  subjects 
in  their  mutual  connections.  He  also  delivered  sev- 
eral series  of  lectures,  chiefly  historical  and  ex- 
pository, but  doctrinal,  preceptive,  or  otherwise,  as 
seemed  most  pertinent  to  the  passage  of  Scripture, 
which  came  before  him  in  the  order  of  his  plan. 

At  the  opening  of  the  year  1806,  he  commenced  a 
course  of  such  lectures,  upon  Genesis.  He  had  sus- 
tained a  lecture  on  Sabbath  evenings,  preaching  as 
often  as  he  could ;  not  for  his  own  people,  but  for 
others,  as  the  circumstances  then  were.  It  was  his 
decided  judgment,  and  often  expressed,  that  two  ser- 
mons on  the  Sabbath  are  as  much  as  any  person  can 
ordinarily  hear  to  good  profit.  He,  therefore,  rather 
discouraged  his  own  people  from  attending  his  "  Third 
Services." 

His  lectures  on  Genesis  drew  crowds  to  the  Taber- 
nacle. The  aisles  of  the  commodious  edifice  were 
often  filled  by  persons,  who  stood  quietly  and  patient- 
ly to  the  end  of  the  service.  These  were  of  every  rank 
in  society,  and  of  all  varieties  of  religious  belief.  In 
every  part  of  Salem,  the  aged  can  now  be  found,  whose 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  397 

remembrances  of  "Dr.  Worcester's  Sabbath  evening 
Lectures  on  Genesis"  are  fresh  and  bright  as  the  morn- 
ing. The  hearer  was  often  surprised  or  amazed,  at  wliat 
was  disclosed  to  him  from  the  chapters,  wliich  he  had 
r^ad  again  and  again,  without  imagining,  that  any 
such  instruction  was  there.  The  effect  was  very  hap- 
py upon  all  classes,  in  drawing  attention  to  the  Scrip- 
tures ;  enhancing  the  value  of  the  "  things  written 
aforetime  ;  "  inspiring  reverence  for  every  message,  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord ;  awakening  the  anxious  concern 
of  the  careless  and  thoughtless  ;  and  assisting  believers 
more  effectually  to  vindicate  the  ways  of  God,  and 
"  hold  forth  the  word  of  life." 

Accompanying  the  lectures  on  Genesis,  was  a  course 
on  Matthew,  extending  to  eighty  and  upwards,  and 
commonly  preached  on  Sabbath  morning.  The  sub- 
stance of  the  four  Gospels  in  harmony,  was  embraced 
in  the  plan  of  this  series.  Prepared  with  much  labor, 
these  lectures  were  very  profitable.  They  were  the 
more  valued,  perhaps,  because  commentaries  and  other 
works  illustrative  of  the  Scriptures  were  comparative- 
ly few,  and  were  found  but  in  a  small  number  of  fam- 
ilies. 

Twenty  lectures  upon  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  or 
"  the  principal  Facts  in  the  Apostolic  History,"  suc- 
ceeded those  upon  the  Gospel  by  Matthew.  This 
course  was  more  elaborate  and  finished,  than  either  of 
the  others.  In  the  volume  of  sermons  published  after 
the  preacher's  decease,  there  is  an  example,  from  the 
words, — And  a  cloud  received  him  out  of  their  sight. 
This  same  lecture  or  sermon  he  preached  at  the  chapel 
of  the  Theological  Seminary,  Andover,  in  one  of  the 
last  years  of  his  life,  and  when  his  health  was  greatly 
impaired.  To  many  of  the  young  men  of  the  semina- 
34 


398  MEMOIR    OF 

ry,  it  was  the  first  time,  that  they  had  ever  heard  his 
voice.  There  are  some  whose  eye  may  fall  upon  these 
sketches.  If  so,  they  will  recall  the  impressions  of  the 
scene,  as  one  in  which  they  never  looked  upon  a  man 
of  God  with  more  reverence,  nor  realized  more  deeply 
the  sublime  anticipations  of  the  Christian  faith. 

In  one  of  the  lectures  of  this  course,  in  1812, — that 
upon  "  the  martyrdom  of  Stephen," — the  opportunity 
was  seized,  to  portray  the  spirit  of  that  kind  of  demo- 
cracy, which  had  just  been  exemplified  by  the  murder- 
ers of  General  Lingan,  at  Baltimore.  The  audience 
were  electrified  by  the  impassioned  tones  of  his  right- 
eous condemnation,  hurled  like  thunderbolts,  upon  the 
atrocious  assassins,  and  their  instigating  or  sympa- 
thizing accomplices. 

Several  years  after  he  was  installed,  he  introduced 
the  custom  of  an  invocation,  with  reading  of  the  Scrip- 
tures,* at  the  morning  exercises  of  public  worship.  He 
so  read  the  Scriptures,  that  an  unexpected  emphasis, 
or  a  significant  modulation  of  his  voice  would  uncover 
a  mine  of  "  hid  treasure ! "  "  How  much  he  makes  out 
of  the  Bible  1 " 

"  I  thought,"  said  one,  "  that  the  minister  who 
preached  the  most  Bible,  was  the  best  minister  for 
me.  I  had  attended  meeting  in  several  places,  both  in 
Boston  and  Salem.     When  I  heard  yom*  father,  I  used 

*  The  present  pastor,  immediately  after  his  settlement,  in  1S34,  introduced 
the  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  at  the  Tabernacle,  as  an  invariable  part  of  ev- 
ery public  service.  And  he  is  of  opinion,  that  no  exercise  of  public 
worship  is  more  important,  or  more  instructive  and  impressive,  when  so  per- 
formed, that  the  hearer  is  not  tempted  to  say, — "  Under standest  thou  tvhat 
ihoii  readest  ?  " 

"  Our  fathers  long  abstained  from  the  commendable  practice  of  reading 
the  Scriptures  at  public  worship,  to  be,  in  this  respect  as  in  others,  as  diller- 
ent  as  possible  from  the  Church  of  England,  which  requires  the  Scriptures  to 
be  read,  ^niX  prescribes  the  portions  for  every  seiviceJ'' — History  of  Old  South, 
pp.  105, 6. 


SAMUEL    AVORCESTER.  399 

to  go  home,  and  what  I  could  recollect  of  the  pas- 
sages quoted  in  the  sermon,  I  would  compare  with  the 
Bible,  myself,  to  see  if  they  had  been  quoted  correctly. 
I  became  fully  convinced,  that  he  preached  more  ex- 
actly according  to  the  Scriptures,  than  any  other  min- 
ister, whom  I  had  the  opportunity  to  hear.  And  I  never 
heard  any  sermons,  which  I  can  now  so  well  remem- 
ber. There  is  a  thread  between  him  and  me^  that  will 
not  be  severed  while  I  am  in  this  world.  I  do  not 
know  how  it  may  be,  at  the  judgment." 

The  apparent  effect  of  his  ministrations,  in  leading 
to  the  conversion  of  his  hearers,  was  at  no  time  great- 
er, than  in  the  period,  when  he  was  most  employed  in 
searching  and  expounding  the  Scriptures.  There  were 
several  seasons  of  revival,  with  but  short  intervals,  the 
most  memorable  of  which,  after  1804,  were  from  1807 
to  1808,  and  from  1810  to  1811 ;— during  which  he 
was  eminently  blessed  in  his  personal  exertions.  Of 
those  who  became  members  of  the  Tabernacle  Church, 
were  some  from  families  of  other  congregations,  and 
from  fashionable  circles, — who  had  found  it  "  a  cross  " 
indeed,  even  to  number  themselves  among  the  tran- 
sient hearers  of  an  orthodox  minister ! 

The  frequent  use  of  his  pen  in  the  Missionary  Mag- 
azine, and  afterwards  in  the  Magazine  and  Panoplist 
united,  was  no  detriment  to  his  preaching.  In  his 
"  Occasional  Sermons,"  as  on  Fast  or  Thanksgiving 
days,  or  at  ordinations,  and  meetings  of  benevolent 
societies,  he  always  tasked  himself  cheerfully,  and  thus 
recruited  his  intellectual  vigor.  He  could  not  have 
endured  the  constant  and  often  intense  exertions  of  his 
powers,  but  for  the  pleasure  from  the  excitement. 

In  a  review  by  Mr.  Evarts,  in  1814,  it  was  said : — 
"  The  author  of  this  sermon  has  published  several 
occasional  discourses,  within  a  few  years  past.     All, 


400  MEMOIR    OP 

which  have  come  to  our  hands,  (and  we  believe  that 
we  have  read  alj  that  have  been  published,)  abound  in 
good  sense,  in  seriousness,  and  in  a  happy  combina- 
tion of  doctrinal  and  practical  instruction.  They  are 
evidently  the  production  of  a  vigorous  mind,  which  is 
deeply  and  habitually  impressed  with  the  responsibil- 
ity of  the  ministerial  office,  and  solemnly  intent  upon 
the  discharge  of  its  duties." 

This  critique  of  a  writer,  who  weighed  his  words, 
and  who  never  indulged  his  pen  in  a  flourish  of  com- 
pliment, even  for  his  best  friends,  is  as  correct  a  de- 
scription as  could  be  given,  of  Dr.  Worcester's  general 
character  in  sermonizing,  whether  upon  common  or 
special  occasions. 

At  conference  meetings,  his  extemporaneous  powers 
were  freely  trusted.  In  expository  discourses,  he  re- 
lied, in  part,  upon  brief  notes  ;  but  seldom,  at  other 
times.  In  one  instance,  having  inadvertently  left  his 
sermon  in  his  study,  he  apprized  his  congregation  of 
the  awkward  predicament  in  which  he  found  himself. 
He  asked  their  indulgence,  while  he  should  offer  some 
remarks  upon  a  passage  of  Scripture,  which  he  would 
make  the  theme  of  their  present  meditations.  In  the 
afternoon,  he  repeated  the  experiment ;  suggesting  as 
an  apology,  that  the  sermon  which  he  had  forgotten  to 
take  in  the  morning,  was  designed  for  both  parts  of 
the  day. 

His  hearers  were  not  very  cautious  in  saying  to  him- 
self, that  they  should  not  be  troubled,  if  the  like  acci- 
dent of  inadvertence  should  more  frequently  occur.* 

*  At  Newburyport,  Dr.  Spring  was  about  to  omit  a  Preparatory  Lecture, 
on  account  of  illness.  Rev.  Philip  Melancthon  Wlielpley,  from  New  York, 
reached  his  house,  just  before  the  hour  appointed  for  the  service.  "  icannot 
preach,"  he  replied,  when  told  that  his  coming:  was  peculiarly  providential. 
''  I  have  left  all  my  sermons  at  Charlestown."    "  What  I "  exclaimed  Dr.  S. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  401 

No  one  knew  better  than  himself,  that  he  who  can 
do  well,  extemporaneously,  can  do  better  by  premedi- 
itation,  provided  he  is  a  man  of  really  respectable  re- 
sources, natural  and  acquired.  In  seizing  the  spirit  of 
an  occasion,  he  excelled ;  yet  was  always  glad  of  time 
to  "  bring  forth  out  of  his  treasure  things  new  and  old." 
When  other  men,  far  inferior,  would  have  relied  upon 
the  suggestions  and  feelings  of  the  hour  or  the  moment, 
and  when  he  himself,  if  constrained  thus  to  do,  could 
perform  his  part  to  entire  acceptance, — it  seems  to 
have  been  his  uniform  practice,  to  anticipate  by  reflec- 
tion, with  pen  in  hand,  all  public  efforts  of  addresses, 
and  even  services  of  devotion  in  which  the  happiest 
effect  would  depend  upon  pertinency  of  thought  and 
expression.  He  may  be  said  to  have  had  a  "  liturgy  " 
of  his  own,  which,  however,  he  could  use  without  any 
danger  of  promoting  "  lethargy  of  piety,"  in  himself  or 
any  one  else. 

Take  as  an  example,  the  original  of  a  prayer  at  a 
town-meeting,  in  the  highest  excitement  of  the  federal 
and  democratic  parties,  previous  to  the  second  war 
with  Great  Britain. 

"  Almighty  God  and  everlasting  Father,  we  ac- 
knowledge and  adore  Thee  as  the  Maker,  and  the 
rightful  Sovereign  of  all  worlds ;  the  blessed  and 
only  Potentate,  the  King  of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords, 
who  only  hast  immortality,  dwelling  in  the  light  which 
no  man  can  approach  unto.  We  render  unto  Thee 
devout  homage  and  praise  for  the  infinitude  and  glory 
of  thy  nature,  thy  perfections,  and  thy  works.  Thou 
hast  made  of  one  blood  all  the  nations  of  men,  for  to 
dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth  ;  and  hast  determin- 

"  And  did  you  leave  your  brains  there  ?  "  It  was  soon  proved,  that  he  had  a 
sermon  with  him. — Dr.  Worcester  would  never  excuse  himself  from  doing 
what  he  could,  when  taken  by  surprise  in  a  call  for  a  sermon  or  address. 

34* 


402  MEMOIR    OP 

ed  the  times  before  appointed,  and  the  bounds  of  their 
habitation.  Dominion  and  fear  are  with  Thee,  and 
Thou  art  Governor  among  the  nations.  Thine,  O 
Lord,  is  the  greatness,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory, 
and  the  victory,  and  the  majesty ;  for  all  that  is  in  the 
heaven  and  in  the  earth  is  thine.  Both  riches  and 
honor  come  of  Thee,  and  Thou  reignest  over  all ;  and  in 
thine  hand  is  power  and  might,  and  in  thine  hand  it  is 
to  make  great,  and  to  give  strength  unto  all. 

We  bless  Thee,  O  Lord,  for  the  infinite  clemency  and 
mercy,  which  Thou  hast  so  gloriously  displayed  in  the 
administration  of  thy  government  over  this  revolted 
and  rebellious  world  ;  that,  through  the  gracious  medi- 
ation of  thine  own  Son,  Thou  hast  caused  proclamation 
to  be  made  from  heaven,  of  peace  on  earth  and  good 
will  towards  men ;  and  that  in  him  Thou  art  recon- 
ciling the  w^orld  unto  Thyself,  and  conferring  upon 
those  who  penitently  accept  thine  offered  peace,  all  the 
privileges  and  blessings  of  thine  eternal  kingdom.  We 
thank  Thee  that  the  light  of  the  glorious  Gospel  of  thy 
grace  has  been  so  extensively  diifused ;  that  under  its 
Benign  influence  the  condition  of  mankind  has  been  in 
so  high  a  degree  meliorated ;  and  that  assurance  is 
given  us  in  thine  holy  oracles,  that  this  heavenly  light 
shall  continue  to  spread,  until  all  the  nations  shall  be 
blest  with  its  healing  beams. 

We  bless  Thee,  O  thou  Preserver  of  men,  for  the  pe- 
culiar favor  which  Thou  hast  shown  unto  our  nation  ; 
for  the  good  and  pleasant  land  which  thou  hast  so 
kindly  allotted  unto  us  ;  for  the  many  signal  interposi- 
tions of  thy  providence  in  our  behalf,  in  the  times  that 
have  passed  over  us ;  for  the  rank  which  Thou  hast  given 
us  among  the  sovereign  ajid  independent  nations  of 
the  earth  ;  for  the  happy  constitutions  of  government, 
which  under  thy  merciful  auspices,  have  been  estab- 
lished for  the  security  and  preservation  of  our  liberties 
and  rights  ;  for  the  institutions  of  religion  and  litera- 
ture, with  which  we  are  so  eminently  favored  ;  and  for 
all  the  various  and  multi|)lied  blessings  with  which,  as 
a  nation  and  as  individuals,  we  are  so  richly  endowed. 

We  thank  Thee,  Father  of  mercies,  for  the  favorable 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  403 

circumstancos  under  which  we  are  assomljh'd  before 
Thee,  on  this  important  occasion;  and  for  the  nnnier- 
ous  testimonials  of  thine  infinite  goodness,  with  which 
we  are  here  surrounded.  From  thy  glorious  high 
throne  in  the  heavens,  look  down  upon  us,  we  beseech 
Thee,  with  infinite  benignity  and  mercy.  For  the 
sake  of  our  gracious  Redeemer  pardon  our  manifold 
offences,  deeply  penetrate  our  hearts  with  the  senti- 
ments of  genuine  contrition,  and  animate  our  minds 
with  those  glorious  hopes  and  those  elevated  views, 
which  the  Gospel  alone  can  inspire. 

Vouchsafe,  we  beseech  Thee,  thy  gracious  benedic- 
tion on  the  citizens  of  this  town,  this  day  called  to- 
gether, for  the  purpose  of  transacting  tlieir  annual 
municipal  concerns.  Duly  appreciating  tlieir  high 
privileges  as  freemen,  and  gratefully  sensible  of  their 
obligations  to  Thee  for  their  invaluable  inheritance, 
may  they  exercise  their  rights  with  calm  discretion  and 
with  magnanimous  integrity,  unmindful  of  party,  un- 
influenced by  passion,  unswayed  by  any  sinister  bias. 
May  all  their  suffrages  be  impartially  and  worthily  be- 
stowed ;  may  all  their  measures  be  well  advised,  and 
conducive  to  the  promotion  of  their  common  interests  ; 
and,  in  all  their  proceedings  this  day,  may  they  act  in 
thy  fear,  and  as  a  band  of  brothers  united  for  the  public 
good.  May  those  to  whom  shall  be  intrusted  the  civil 
and  financial  concerns  of  the  town  ;  those  to  whom 
shall  be  committed  the  oversight  of  the  public  charities  ; 
those  who  shall  be  superintendents  of  the  means  of 
education  ;  and  all  who  may  this  day  be  elected  to  of- 
fices or  places  of  trust  and  responsibility,  from  the 
highest  to  the  lowest,  be  men  fearing  God  and  hating 
covetousness,  competent  to  their  stations,  and  benevo- 
lent to  their  fellow-men  ;  and  may  they  fulfill  their  re- 
spective duties,  with  honor  to  themselves,  with  advan- 
tage to  the  community,  and  with  due  regard  to  the 
glory  of  thy  great  Name. 

Bless,  we  beseech  Thee,  this  favored  town  at  large. 
May  it  be  a  city  of  peace,  and  a  dwelling-place  of 
righteousness  and  truth.  Under  thy  fostering  care,  it 
has  enjoyed   a  long  period  of  prosperity,  and  has  in- 


404  MEMOIR    OP 

creased  in  population,  in  wealth,  and  in  the  various 
accommodations  of  life.  INIay  it  still  continue  to  en- 
joy thy  beneficent  smiles  upon  all  its  interests  and 
concerns.  May  the  churches  be  blest  with  the  dews 
of  celestial  influence,  and  flourish  as  the  garden  of 
God.  May  the  ministers  be  richly  endowed  with  all 
the  graces  of  thy  Spirit,  and  be  pastors  according  to 
thine  heart,  who  shall  feed  their  respective  flocks  with 
knowledge  and  understanding.  May  the  magistracy 
be  wise  and  faithful,  a  terror  to  evil  doers  and  a  praise 
to  them  that  do  well;  and  may  the  people  lead  quiet 
and  peaceable  and  industrious  lives  in  all  godliness 
and  honesty, — the  rich  not  oppressing  the  poor,  and  the 
poor  not  envying  the  rich, — but  all,  as  members  of  one 
common  family,  harmoniously  and  cheerfully  fulfilling 
the  duties  of  their  respective  conditions  and  callings. 

May  our  general  health  be  precious  in  thy  sight. 
May  our  commerce  be  relieved  from  its  embarrass- 
ments. May  our  hands  be  sufficient  for  us  and  find 
sufficient  employment  in  our  various  useful  occupa- 
tions, and  may  our  dwellings  be  crowned  with  plenty, 
and  with  all  the  pure  enjoyments  of  social  and  domes- 
tic life,  and  there  be  no  complaining  in  our  streets. 
May  our  sons  be  as  plants  grown  up  in  their  youth, 
and  our  daughters  as  corner-stones,  polished  after  the 
similitude  of  a  palace  ;  and  may  all  our  precious  means 
of  education,  of  morality,  of  religion,  and  of  happiness, 
be  thankfully  improved  and  beneficently  prospered. 

Bless  the  Governor,  the  Lieutenant-Governor,  and 
the  Council,  the  two  houses  of  the  General  Court,  and 
all  the  judges  and  magistrates  of  this  Commonwealth. 
May  they  all  be  endued  with  true  wisdom  and  benev- 
olence, and,  in  their  respective  offices  and  stations,  ex- 
ecute their  various  trusts,  and  fulfill  their  various  du- 
ties, with  fidelity  and  ability.  And  may  the  citizens 
at  large  be  well  informed  in  the  duties  of  their  situa- 
tions; use  their  liberties  and  privileges  both  civil  and 
religious,  as  not  abusing  them  ;  and  enjoy  thy  blessing 
upon  all  their  true  interests  and  laudable  pursuits. 

Bless  the  President,  and  Vice-President  of  these 
United  States,  the  heads  of  the  executive  departments, 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  405 

the  Judges  of  onr  national  Courts,  the  members  of  onr 
national  Legislature,  and  all  subordinate  oflicers,  under 
our  general  government.  May  lliey  all  enjoy  thy  sjx'cial 
favor,  and  all  be  com])etent  and  iaithful  to  the  trusts  re- 
posed in  them.  In  this  day  of  alarm  and  rebuke,  in  this 
awfully  eventful  crisis  of  the  world,  may  those  who  have 
the  management  of  our  national  allairs,  have  a  good  un- 
derstandincf  of  our  national  intcn-ests.  Feeling  all  the 
weight  of  their  high  responsibility,  surveying  the  as- 
pects of  the  times  with  a  clear  and  comprehensive 
view,  and  discerning  where  the  safety  and  the  welfare 
of  the  nation  lie,  may  they  be  in  all  respects  equal  to 
the  momentous  conjuncture  ;  and  magnanimously  uni- 
ting for  the  public  good,  may  all  their  deliberations 
and  measures  be  guided  by  a  just  and  liberal  and  en- 
lightened policy." 

The  preparation  for  a  prayer  in  the  Supreme  Judi- 
cial Court,  during  the  same  period,  has  a  conclusion 
very  similar  to  the  preceding.  The  introduction  is 
considerably  varied,  but  analogous.  The  other  parts 
are,  as  follows  : — 

"  Vouchsafe  thy  presence,  O  God,  with  the  court  of 
civil  and  criminal  judicature  here  convened.  As  it 
has  been  instituted  for  the  maintenance  and  distribu- 
tion of  justice,  and  for  the  security  and  promotion  of 
the  rights  and  interests  of  individuals,  and  of  the 
community ;  may  it  evermore  be  so  favored  with  thy 
protection,  guidance  and  blessing,  as  fully  to  answer 
the  great  purposes  of  its  institution. 

Bless,  we  beseech  Thee,  thy  servants,  who  hold  in 
this  court  the  high  and  sacred  seat  of  justice.  Inspire 
them  with  the  true  spirit  of  their  station,  and  hold 
them  in  the  right  hand  of  thy  faithfulness  and  mercy. 
Remembering  that  Thou  standest  in  the  congregation 
of  the  mighty,  and  judgest  among  the  gods,  may  they 
hold  the  scales  of  justice  with  an  even  hand,  and  al- 
ways be  disposed  to  sustain  the  righteous  cause.  Fear- 
ing God  and  hating  covctousness,  may  they  be  a  ter- 


406  MEMOIR    OF 

ror  to  evil  doers,  and  a  praise  to  them  that  do  well. 
May  their  lives  and  health  be  precious  in  thy  sight; 
and  having  served  thee  and  this  generation,  according 
to  thy  will,  may  they  sit  hereafter  in  high  seats  of  glo- 
ry in  thine  everlasting  kingdom. 

Bless  thy  servants,  who  occupy  here  the  bar  of  legal 
counsel.  Impressed  with  a  religious  veneration  of  thy 
great  and  holy  name,  and  with  a  profound  respect  for 
the  sacred  principles  of  truth  and  right,  may  they  ac- 
quit themselves  in  all  their  professional  duties,  mth 
fidelity  to  their  clients,  with  equity  towards  all  con- 
cerned, with  credit  to  themselves,  and  with  advantage 
to  the  cause  of  justice. 

May  those  who  here  represent  their  country,  in  the 
capacity  of  jurors,  be  favored  with  thy  especial  bless- 
ing. Duly  considering  the  high  estimation  in  which 
the  privilege  of  trial  by  jury  is  justly  holden  by  their 
fellow-creatures,  may  they  fear  the  oath  of  God  which 
is  upon  them,  and  in  no  instance  betray  the  just  con- 
fidence, which  is  reposed  in  them.  To  every  question 
which  may  come  before  them,  may  they  attend  with 
diligence  and  impartiality,  and  upon  every  cause  which 
shall  go  to  them,  may  they  give  a  firm  and  righteous 
verdict. 

May  all  who  may  appear  before  this  court  as  wit- 
nesses and  suitors,  have  it  in  constant  and  solemn  re- 
membrance, that  the  false  witness,  and  he  that  doeth 
wrong  to  his  neighbor,  is  an  utter  abhorrence  in  thine 
holy  sight;  and  that  the  day  is  at  hand,  when  Thou 
wilt  bring  every  work  into  judgment,  and  every  secret 
thing,  whether  it  be  good,  or  whether  it  be  evil.  And  of 
the  solemnities  of  that  august  and  awful  day,  when  the 
secrets  of  all  hearts  shall  be  made  manifest;  when  all 
our  thoughts  and  actions  shall  be  disclosed  in  their 
true  light,  to  the  view  of  assembled  worlds  ;  and  when 
we  shall  receive  from  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  a  just 
and  irrevocable  sentence  of  retribution,  according  to 
our  works, — may  we  all,  O  God,  be  solemnly  reminded 
by  the  occasion  on  which  we  are  now  convened  !  In 
view  of  that  solemn  scene,  may  we  all,  in  our  several 
stations,  ever  live,  and  ever  act,  that  when  it  shall  ar- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  407 

rive,  wc  may  be  so  lmj)j)y  as  to  meet  our  Judge,  and 
receive,  though  grac(*,  the  rewards  of  the  righteous  in 
thine  heavenly  kingdom."  &cc. 

Another  example  was   occasioned  by  the  public  ex- 
amination of  a  classical  school. 

"  O  Thou,  in  whom  all  goodness  dwells,  from  whom 
all  beings  derive  their  existence,  and  on  whom  the 
wdiole  universe  depends  for  life  and  light,  for  improve- 
ment and  happiness :  we  adore  Thee  as  the  Father  of 
cm'  spirits,  the  fountain  of  our  mercies,  and  the  rock 
of  our  hopes.  We  bless  thy  name,  that  among  the 
unnumbered  orders  of  beings,  which  Thou  hast  created 
for  thy  glory  and  thy  praise.  Thou  hast  been  pleased 
to  allot  to  mankind  so  high  and  distinguished  a  rank ; 
that  Thou  hast  endowed  us  with  rational  and  moral 
and  social  powers,  and  made  us  capable  of  endless 
improvement  in  knowledge,  in  worth,  and  in  happi- 
ness. We  would  gratefully  rejoice  before  Thee  in  all 
thy  glorious  works,  and  in  all  the  displays  which  Thou 
hast  made  before  us,  of  thine  unbounded  goodness. 
We  would  render  Thee  praise  in  the  highest,  that, 
notwithstanding  the  guilt  of  our  fallen  state,  there  is 
peace  on  earth  and  good  will  towards  men  ;  that  Thou 
hast  sent  thy  Son  into  the  world,  to  redeem  and  save 
us  from  wi'ath,  to  recover  us  from  the  ruins  of  the 
apostacy,  and  to  raise  us  to  glory,  to  honor,  and  im- 
mortality. We  thank  Thee,  O  Lord,  for  the  numerous 
and  various  blessings,  spiritual  and  temporal,  wiiich, 
through  the  divine  Mediator  Thou  hast  so  gi-aciously 
conferred  upon  the  world  of  mankind  at  large ;  and 
particularly  for  those  of  which  we  and  our  children 
•are  the  favored  partakers.  We  thank  Thee  for  thy 
distinguishing  beneficence  and  mercy  to  our  forefathers, 
of  which  we  have  so  many  precious  memorials ;  and 
for  the  fair  and  rich  inheritance,  which,  from  them 
under  thy  gracious  Providence,  has  been  transmitted 
to  us  their  posterity  ;  for  the  abundant  supply  which 
Thou  hast  furnished  to  us  of  the  primary  supports  and 
comforts  of  life;  for  the  invaluable  institutions  and 


408  MEMOIR    OF 

privileges,  civil,  literary,  and  religious,  with  which  we 
are  blessed ;  and  for  all  the  advantages  granted  to  us 
for  the  best  enjoyments,  and  the  best  attainments,  of 
which  our  natures  are  capable.  Verily,  O  God,  the 
lines  have  fallen  to  us  in  pleasant  places,  and  we  have 
a  goodly  heritage  :  and  our  obligations  of  gratitude  to 
Thee,  the  Fountain  of  all  good,  are  high  and  everlast- 
ing. O  may  we  be  gratefully  sensible  to  all  our  ob- 
ligations ;  may  we  duly  estimate,  and  wisely  improve 
the  various  and  numberless  blessings  which  we  enjoy; 
and,  in  our  lives  and  our  character,  may  we  show  forth 
the  praises  of  thy  goodness  and  thy  grace. 

We  thank  Thee,  Father  of  mercies,  for  the  agreeable 
circumstances  of  this  pleasant  occasion :  an  occasion, 
so  deeply  interesting  to  parental  affections,  and  the 
best  feelings  and  hopes  of  humanity.  We  have  seen 
with  high  satisfaction,  the  specimens  now  exhibited 
of  youthful  improvement,  so  creditable  to  the  youths 
themselves,  and  to  their  instructors  ;  and  would  notice 
with  devout  gratitude  the  fair  promise  which  they  give, 
of  future  character  and  usefulness.  We  would  thank- 
fully rejoice  before  Thee,  O  God,  that  under  thy  be- 
neficent Providence  our  rising  offspring  are  allowed 
the  enjoyment  of  advantages  of  education,  even  great- 
er than  those  with  which  their  parents  were  favored  ; 
and  that  we  have  opportunity,  from  time  to  time,  to 
witness  the  pleasing  fruits  of  the  advantages  they 
enjoy. 

And  now,  O  Lord  our  God,  our  eyes  and  our  desires 
are  still  unto  Thee,  in  behalf  of  ourselves  and  of  our 
children ;  for  upon  Thee  are  we  still  dependent  for 
every  good  and  perfect  gift.  Most  humbly  and  fer- 
vently would  we  commend  unto  Thee,  this  school  for 
the  instruction  of  youth.  Let  it  ever,  we  beseech 
Tlice,  be  under  thy  gracious  direction,  and  thy  foster- 
ing care.  May  the  choicest  of  thy  blessings  rest  upon 
it,  and  may  it  abundantly  answer  the  highest  hopes 
and  expectations  of  its  founders  and  patrons.  May  it 
long  be  continued  a  fruitful  seminary,  not  only  of  the 
rudiments  of  useful  knowledge,  but  also  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  virtue,  of  religion,  and  of  everything  amiable 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  409 

and  excellent  in  the  Imnian  clianieter.  Bless  thy  ser- 
vant, the  present  instruetor  of  this  school.  May  his 
life,  and  his  continued  and  increasing  usefulness,  be 
precious  in  thy  sight.  May  he  find  great  satisfaction 
in  the  faitliful  discharge  of  the  cares  and  duties  of  his 
interesting  station,  and  in  the  good  conduct  and  im- 
provement of  the  youths  committed  to  his  direction 
and  tuition.  And  may  he  enjoy  the  best  of  all  rewards, 
in  the  approbation  of  his  employers,  his  conscience, 
and  his  God. 

Bless,  we  humbly  beseech  Thee,  the  dear  youths, 
the  members  of  this  school ;  and  have  them  evermore 
in  thy  holy  and  parental  keeping.  Secure  them,  from 
the  numberless  evils  to  w^hich  they  are  exposed  in  this 
evil  world  ;  and  may  their  lives,  their  health,  their  char- 
acters, and  their  best  interests,  be  objects  of  thy  most 
gracious  attention  and  care.  May  they  duly  appreci- 
ate the  precious  advantages  for  education  with  which 
they  are  favored ;  and  learn  to  be  thankful  for  them  to 
their  parents  and  to  Thee.  May  they  be  diligent  and 
successful  in  their  studies,  modest  and  respectful  in 
their  manners,  and  regular  and  amiable  in  all  their 
conduct.  May  they  early  be  impressed  with  the  great 
principles  of  the  Gospel ;  and,  instructed  that  the  fear 
of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom,  may  they  re- 
member Thee  their  Creator,  in  the  days  of  their 
youth  ;  give  their  hearts  to  Thee  ;  and  so  walk  in  thy 
commandments,  as  to  know  that  the  ways  of  wisdom 
are  pleasantness  and  all  her  paths  peace.  As  they 
increase  in  stature,  may  they  increase  also  in  wisdom 
and  knowledge,  in  virtue  and  piety,  and  in  favor  with 
God  and  man  ;  and  under  the  cultivation  bestowed 
upon  them,  may  they  in  all  respects  so  improve,  as  to 
be  prepared  to  come  forward  into  life,  with  great  honor 
to  themselves,  great  credit  to  their  families,  and  great 
usefulness  to  society.  INIay  their  lives  be  long  and 
happy  ;  and,  all  their  days  on  earth,  may  they  love 
their  God  and  Savior,  be  prepared  for  all  duties,  and 
for  immortality  and  glory. 

May  the  parents  of  these  youths  be  remembered  of 
Thee  for  good.     May  their  houses  be   established  on 

35 


410  MEMOIR    OF 

the  sure  foundations  of  thine  everlasting  covenant,  and 
be  endowed  with  every  blessing. 

We  ask  thy  needful  benediction,  O  God,  upon  all 
the  schools,  both  public  and  private,  in  this  town. 
Well  regulated  and  instructed,  and  abundantly  en- 
dowed with  thy  grace,  may  they  prove  the  richest 
blessings  to  all  our  children  and  youth,  and  to  the 
community  at  large  ;  and  may  the  rising  generations 
of  this  people  be  kept  in  th)^  fear,  and  grow  up  before 
Thee  for  praise  and  honor  and  glory."  * 

Having  been  called  upon  to  express  thanks  at  a 
public  dinner,  a  stranger  of  distinction  was  much 
struck  with  the  manner  of  the  service  ;  and  at  the  close 
whispered,  in  a  quick  under-tone  to  Judge  P.  of  the 
Supreme  Court, — "  Very  correct  !  Very  correct .'" — 
"  Always  so,"  was  the  instant  and  hearty  reply.  It  is 
not  improbable,  that,  in  anticipation  of  that  very  ser- 
vice, the  "  pen  "  had  some  share  in  the  "  correctness  " 
of  the  "  tongue."  I^or  some  occasion  of  the  kind,  a 
model  like  this  had  been  fashioned : 

"  Beneficent  Parent  of  the  universe,  we  bless  thy 
name  for  the  riches  of  thine  infinite  goodness,  so  gra- 
ciously and  abundantly  shown  to  mankind  ;  and,  par- 
ticularly, for  the  distinguished  privileges  and  blessings 
which  we  enjoy,  under  the  glorious  Gospel  of  thy  Son, 
and  under  those  invaluable  institutions,  civil  and  re- 
ligious, which  in  thy  merciful  providence  Thou  hast 
granted  unto  us.  We  thank  Thee  for  the  favorable 
circumstances,  under  which  we  have  now  been  per- 
mitted to  sit  down  to  this  table  of  thy  bounty,  so 
richly  furnished  for  our  refreshment  and  repast.  By 
these  fruits  of  thy  goodness,  of  w^hich  we  daily  partake, 

*  A  beautiful  form  of  "  Prayer  for  Sabbath  Schools"  was  furnished  by 
Dr.  Worcester  for  the  American  Edition  of  Jay's  Family  Prayers.  It  was 
at  the  request  of  his  friend  and  parishioner,  Mr.  Henry  Whipple,  who  had 
his  cordial  approval  in  publishing  that  valuable  work.  See  pp.  293-4,  of  the 
edition  by  M.  W.  Dodd,  1S50. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  411 

may  we  be  led  np  in  c^ratitude  and  love  to  the  glo- 
rious Fountain  of  all  good,  that  we  may  seek  and  ob- 
tain the  infuiitely  higher  enjoyments  of  an  immortal 
life.  Bless,  we  beseeeh  Thee,  thy  servants  present, 
entrusted  with  the  important  concerns  of  this  town; 
and  let  theirs  be  the  satisfaction  and  the  reward  of 
good  and  faithful  servants,"  &c. 

No  such  models  or  castings  of  preparation,  for  the 
ordinary  exercises  of  public  worship,  or  for  any  other 
occasions  than  such  as  were  more  or  less  extra- 
ordinary,  were  found  among  the  private  papers  of  Dr. 
Worcester.  It  is  most  likely  that  he  had  some,  in  his 
earlier  ministrations  ;  or  that,  at  difierent  times,  he 
gave  his  attention  specially  to  the  responsibilities  of 
prayer  in  public.  It  was  by  diligent  and  devout  pre- 
meditation, or  by  "making  the  proper  subjects  of 
prayer,  a  business  of  serious  reflection,"  that  he  ac- 
quired his  pre-eminent  ability  in  conducting  services 
of  devotion,  of  whatever  kind  and  in  whatever  place.* 
And  lest,  from  examining  the  models  here  presented, 
any  should  suppose,  that  he  would  sometimes  seem 
artificial.)  or  mechanical.^  it  may  be  affirmed  in  the  most 
unqualified  terms,  that  there  was  no  such  appear- 
ance. 

*  "  I  advise  yon  to  make  the  proper  subjects  of  prayer,  a  business  of  se- 
rious reflection.  Go,  first  of  all,  to  the  Bible,  the  great  store-house  of  devo- 
tional thoughts  ;  and  next,  to  such  spiritual  writers  as  Flavel,  Owen,  Bax- 
ter, Watts,  and,  (instar  omnium,  for  this  purpose,)  Henry."  *  *  *  '•  Orton 
says,  that  while  he  thinks  premeditation  to  be  proper  as  to  general  drift  of 
prayer,  he  had  for  many  years  left  off  the  exact  attention  to  method,  which 
he  used  to  practise  ;  endeavoring  only  to  have  his  mind,  before  engaging  in 
the  exercise,  deeply  impressed  with  the  solemn  truths  of  religion.  The 
same  course,  he  says,  was  adopted  by  Dr.  Scott,  one  of  the  wisest  and  de- 
voutest  men  of  his  acquaintance." — Dr.  Porter  s  Lectures.,  on  Homiletics,  6fe. 
pp.  304-5.  To  the  admirable  counsels  of  the  devout  Dr.  Porter  to  the  stu- 
dents at  Andover,  his  warm  friend  Dr.  W.,  would  have  given  his  heartiest 
approval. 


412  MEMOIR    OF 

In  using  such  preparations,  while  his  strong  memory 
would  retain  very  much,  both  of  sentiments  and  sen- 
tences, he  probably  condensed  some  parts,  and  other- 
wise freely  deviated  from  the  written  formula  or  model, 
which  might  have  been  found  among  the  papers  of  his 
"  closet."  Every  word  was  so  uttered,  that  his  "  heart" 
would  appear  to  be  most  fervently  engaged,  "inditing 
a  good  matter ;"  and  not  a  suspicion  be  awakened, 
that  he  himself  might  have  responded  :  "  I  speak  of 
the  things  which  I  have  made  touching  the  King ;  my 
tongue  is  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer."  (Ps.  xlv.  1.) 

One  eminent  advantage  of  such  habits  of  prepara- 
tion, was,  that,  with  or  without  time,  he  was  semper 
paraUis^  always  in  readiness.  He  could  extemporize^ 
at  any  moment,  to  the  edification  of  any  assembly, 
where  there  was  a  call  for  his  voice.  When  at  an  ex- 
amination of  a  school,  a  clergyman  had  failed  of  be- 
ing present  to  address  the  scholars  and  their  friends, 
he  promptly  came  forward  and  filled  the  vacant  place. 
A  gentleman,  who  was  bitterly  opposed  to  his  relig- 
ious sentiments,  was  so  moved  that  he  could  not  con- 
tain himself.  "  I  do  not  believe,"  said  he,  "that  there 
is  another  man  in  the  community,  who,  when  called 
upon  in  like  manner,  could  have  made  such  an  appro- 
priate and  admirable  address.' 


5J* 


*  A  similar  efTect  was  produced  by  what  was  called  an  off-hand  speech, 
at  a  Masonic  celebration  ;  and  wiiich,  it  is  supposed,  was  purely  an  unpre- 
meditated effort. 

The  most  renowned  orators,  it  is  well  known,  have  prepared  their  best 
passages,  in  private  study.  Some  sallies  even  of  wit  or  repartee,  which  were 
thought,  at  the  time,  to  be  the  instantaneous  scintillations  of  genius,  have 
been  afterwards  traced  to  memoranda,  which  must  have  been  made,  for  at 
least  half  a  score  of  years,  and  perhaps  longer.  Thus  was  it  with  Sheri- 
dan's reply  to  Dundas,  in  the  House  of  Commons  :  "  The  Right  Honorable 
gentleman  is  indebted  to  his  memory  for  his  jests,  and  to  his  imagination  for 
his  facts." — Moore^s  Life  of  Skeridan,  vol.  H.  pp.  275-6. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  413 

In  any  place  of  discussion  or  debate,  he  was  never 
silent,  where  he  ought  to  speak."  As  a  debater,  he 
showed  himself  in  greater  strength,  than  as  a  preacher. 
It  was  truly  written  of  him,  that,  before  some  councils, 
"he  delivered  speeches  of  several  hours'  length,  which 
astonished  his  hearers.  They  were  specimens  of  con- 
nected thought,  force  of  argument,  and  command  of 
language,  which  are  seldom  rivalled  even  in  courts  of 
judicature  and  legislative  assemblies."* 

Sometimes  he  re-wrote  ;  but  not  generally.  At  Sa- 
lem, he  did  not  often  do  much  in  making  sermons,  un- 
til the  last  two  days  of  the  week,  the  niglits  included ; 
and  he  then,  under  a  pressure,  could  prepare  for  three 
services.  He  had  many  plans  of  sermons,  which  at 
some  period  of  his  ministry  he  had  constructed, — very 
much  after  the  manner  of  "  Simeon's  Skeletons." 
These  were  a  great  assistance  to  him.  But  he  could 
not  have  accomplished  a  tithe  of  w^hat  he  did,  as  a 
preacher,  if  he  had  not  habituated  himself  to  an  in- 
dustry, which  no  man  could  prosecute,  and  have 
*'  length  of  days."  As  a  natural  consequence  of  studies, 
late  at  night,,  "  the  number  of  his  months  "  was  "  cut 
off  in  the  midst,"  and  "  cut  off  with  pining  sickness.'* 

All  his  reading  and  observation,  he  turned  to  ac- 
count, as  a  public  teacher.  Nothing  escaped  him,  in 
the  events  of  national  or  local,  general  or  private  in- 
terest. He  attempted  no  journal  of  his  feelings  ;  but 
he  kept  brief  memoranda  of  whatever  might  be  of  ad- 
vantage, in  his  preaching,  his  conference-meetings,  his 
catechetical  exercises,  or  his  visits.  Thus,  if  a  little 
boy  was  drowned,  whether  or  not  of  his  own  congre- 
gation, he  made  a  record  of  the  fact,  with  nearly  the 

*  Rev.  S.  Farley,  in  "  The  Dartmouth,"  Sept,  1843. 

35* 


414  MEMOIR    OP 

same  particularity,  as  he   noted  the   astounding  duel 
and    self-destruction    of    Alexander    Hamilton, — a 
statesman,  for  whose  political  character  he  had  great, 
admiration. 

His  diligence  and  discrimination,  from  his  youth 
upward,  as  an  observer  of  manners,  habits,  and  the 
varied  characteristics  of  his  fellow-men,  will  explain 
much  of  his  success  in  adapting  his  instructions  to  the 
wants  of  his  own  people,  and  of  the  community. 
There  was  no  stereotyped  repetition  or  sameness,  in 
his  preaching,  prayers,  or  exhortations.  He  sought 
and  secured  variety,  without  affecting  to  be  original ; 
or  condescending  to  any  device,  for  a  momentary  or 
ephemeral  impression.  He  dealt  sparingly  in  com- 
mon-places, and  never  in  "  impalpable  generalities." 
For  every  paragraph,  or  line,  or  word,  in  his  mature 
writings,  he  could  have  assigned  a  motive,  or  purpose, 
of  solid,  substantial  utility. 

It  may  be  said  with  assurance,  that  he  wrote  noth- 
ing and  spoke  nothing,  for  the  display  of  his  abilities, 
like  an  aspirant  of  honor,  whose  end  is  gained,  when 
the  applause  is  won.  His  unremitted  aim  to  do  ivell 
in  his  sacred  calling,  was  that  of  a  faithful  servant  of 
Christ, — not  proud  of  the  livery  of  his  station,  or  of  the 
"marks "that  he  "bore," — but  always  mindful,  that 
"every  one  of  us  shall  give  account  of  himself  to 
God." 

Knowing  "  the  offence  of  the  cross,"  he  was  studious 
in  all  things,  that  through  him  this  "  offence  "  should 
not  be  aggravated  in  the  "carnal  mind"  of  the  "  wise 
of  the  world,"  by  his  actual  or  apparent  disregard  of 
the  laws  of  good  taste,  or  of  any  of  those  attractions 
of  style,  in  which  the  original  Scriptures  so  far  trans- 
cend the  literature  of  all  nations.     Whatever  he  may 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  415 

have  cultivated  of  "  excellency  of  speech,"  therefore, 
was  in  his  own  aims  and  ends,  for  "the  furtlierance  of 
the  Gos[)el ;" — and  from  liis  just  conceptions  of  the 
beauty  of  its  holiness  and  love,  as  infinitely  worthy  of 
the  richest  and  the  purest  oll'erings  of  human  genius, 
learning,  and  relinement. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

Weekly  meetings.  Church  disciphne.  Report  on  "disorderly  walk." 
Answer  to  questions  of  order  and  usag-e.  Declaratory  Articles,  and  Cor- 
respondence respecting-  dismissions  to  Baptist  chnrches.  Illustraiions  of 
Christian  fellowship.  Catholic  and  noble  spirit.  Discourses  on  the  Ai)ra- 
hamic  Covenant.  Failure  of  health.  Southern  tour.  Letters  to  Dr. 
Baldwin,  in  vindication  of  Discourses,  &c.  Reflections  on  his  birth-day, 
Nov.  1,  1S07. 

Let  all  things  be  done  decently  and  in  order.  *  *  Now  I  beseech  you, 
brethren,  by  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  ye  all  speak  the  same 
thing,  and  tliat  there  be  no  divisions  among  you.  *  *  Is  Christ  divided  ? 
*  *  I  baptized  Crispus  and  Gains.  *  *  I  baptized  also  the  household 
of  Stephanus.  *  *  Christ  sent  me  not  to  baptize,  but  to  rRtACH  the 
Gospel. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  services  of  the  sanctuary, 
with  an  evening  Lecture  on  alternate  Sabbaths,  Dr. 
Worcester  usually  attended  two  meetings  during  the 
week.  One  was  for  the  church  exclusively.  In  this 
he  spent  much  time  in  expounding  the  Scriptures  ; 
calling  upon  the  brethren  for  remarks  or  inquiries. 
They  also  assisted  him  by  taking  part  in  prayer  and 
exhortation.  After  the  opening  of  a  meeting,  he 
would  often  say, — "  Brethren,  have  you  any  subject  ?" 
It  was  a  great  pleasure  to  him,  to  see  the  working  of 
their  various  minds  upon  passages  of  the   Bible,  and 


416  MEMOIR    OF 

upon  questions  of  christian  duty.  If  they  propounded 
inquiries  for  his  more  special  determination,  he  usually 
contrived  to  ascertain  their  own  views,  before  he  gave 
a  definitive  answer.  "  I  have  been  often  indebted  to 
my  brethren,"  he  said,  "for  some  of  my  best  thoughts." 

Much  time  was  given  to  familiar  and  practical  re- 
mark upon  portions  of  the  Scriptures,  at  the  other 
meetings.  If  there  was  more  than  common  attention 
among  the  unconverted,  familiar  discourses  would  be 
preached,  or  such  other  mode  of  instruction  adopted, 
as  the  circumstances  would  seem  to  require. 

These  meetings  were  sometimes  attended  by  tran- 
sient visiters  in  Salem,  and  by  persons  of  other  relig- 
ious societies.  Among  them  were  those,  who  after- 
wards gave  thanks  to  God,  that  they  were  ever  led 
into  the  vestiy  of  the  Tabernacle.  Influenced  by  cu- 
riosity, or  courtesy  to  a  friend,  they  had  placed  them- 
selves, where  most  unexpectedly  they  had  become  in- 
terested, as  never  before,  in  the  gi'cat  question  of  per- 
sonal salvation.  Of  many  more  than  one,  it  may  be 
said, — "  The  Lord  shall  count  when  he  wiiteth  up  the 
people,  that  this  man  was  born  there." 

In  the  business  of  the  Church,  as  in  cases  of  disci- 
pline, which  would,  of  course,  change  the  character  of 
the  regular  church-meeting.  Dr.  Worcester  often  sur- 
prised his  most  intimate  friends  by  his  felicitous  ap- 
plications of  principles  and  rules,  and  excited  their 
wonder  by  his  patience  and  forbearance,  when  breth- 
ren were  slow  to  see  "  eye  to  eye." — Upon  no  part  of 
church  action  did  he  insist  more  inflexibly,  than  the 
observance  of  the  rule  in  the  18th  of  Matthew,  in  all 
preliminary  proceedings  of  discipline,  whether  the  of- 
fence was  of  a  private  or  public  nature.  He  did  not 
allow,  that  a  public  oflence  could  be  settled  by  indi- 


SAMUEL    AVORCESTER.  417 

viduals  in  private,  but  tlioiight  tliat  there  is  more  hope 
of  rechiiiniiig  an  oii'ender,  although  he  may  know, 
that  the  brethren  wlio  takt;  "  the  first  steps,"  are  in- 
tending to  "tell  tlie  ehurch  "  the  whole  case,  and  sub- 
mit it  to  their  adjudication,  even  when  in  their  judg- 
ment he  is  truly  penitent.  In  thus  rigidly  applying 
the  rule  of  our  Savior,  which  certainly  relates  to  cases 
of  private  offence,  Dr.  Worcester  was  doubtless  gov- 
erned by  his  characteristic  desire  of  adhering,  as  much 
as  possible,  to  scriptural  directions  and  examples. 
And  he  had  never  met  with  a  case,  in  actual  expe- 
rience, where,  if  the  rule  should  be  required,  there 
could  be  no  proper  action  of  the  church,  to  wipe  off 
a  great  reproach, — for  instance,  if  a  flagrant  offender 
had  fled  the  country ;  not  to  mention  other  cases,  in 
which  a  recourse  to  the  private  •'  steps  "  could  be  little 
else  than  idle  and  nugatory.* 

He  was  well  supported  by  the  church,  in  all  the 
measures  which  he  deliberately  recommended.  But 
he  was  no  stranger  to  severe  trials  of  opposition. 
Some  who  opposed  him,  were  quite  as  much  in  favor 

*  At  a  meeting  of  the  Church,  Nov.  22,  ISoO,  it  was  voted  to  amend  the 
3d  article,  as  follows  : — That  in  ease  the  oflence  is  of  a  public  nature,  and  no 
one  member  more  than  any  other  has  reason  to  consider  himself  oflended  or 
ag-grieved, — the  pastor  or  any  of  the  brethren  may  call  the  attention  of  the 
church  to  the  ca.se,  and  it  shall  not  be  deemed  necessary,  that  the  com- 
plainant shall  have  previously  proceeded  according  to  the  direction  in  the 
ISth  of  Matthew.  But  in  cases  of  public  ollence,  no  less  than  of  personal, 
the  spirit  of  that  direction  is  to  be  sacredly  regarded. 

The  offending  member  shall  also,  when  it  is  practicable,  have  notice  of 
the  intention  of  the  church  to  adjudicate  upon  his  case,  at  least  two  weeks 
before  the  time  appointed  for  the  adjudication.  If,  however,  the  oflence  be 
notorious,  and  such  as  to  do  evident  injury  to  the  cause  of  truth  and  right- 
eousness by  delay  of  discipline  ,  and  if,  also,  by  reason  of  distance  or  any 
other  cause,  the  oflijnding  member  is  not  accessible  to  the  church, — then  is 
it  to  be  understood,  that  the  action  of  the  church  shall  not  be  hindered  by 
the  absence  of  such  member,  or  by  his  not  receiving  such  notice,  as  is  other- 
wise to  be  required. 


418  MEMOIR    OF 

of  their  own  personal  consequence,  as  they  were  dis- 
trustful of  his  judgment.  There  were  a  few,  who  af- 
fected to  feel  very  serious  apprehension,  that  the  pas- 
tor would  acquire  too  much  power,  as  the  "  ruler  "  of 
the  body.  And  though  he  never  yet  had  abridged  any 
one's  liberties,  or  encroached  upon  any  one's  rights, 
they  took  a  course  of  general  procedure,  as  if  he  ought 
to  be  vmtched  very  carefully,  and  often  resisted,  lest  at 
some  time  he  should  abuse  his  great  influence,  and 
attempt  to  "  lord  it  over  God's  heritage." 

No  pastor  ever  presided  in  a  church,  with  a  better 
combination  of  dignity  and  of  unaffected  condescen- 
sion to  infirmities  or  perversities.  He  allowed  every 
brother  his  place,  his  title  to  be  heard  fully,  and  his  ut- 
most right  of  individual  preference,  whether  in  the 
minority  or  the  majority.  But  the  fact,  that,  in  all  in- 
stances, in  which  he  deemed  the  action  of  the  church 
to  be  of  material  consequence,  he  succeeded  in  the 
end,  mainly  according  to  his  wishes,  was  one  very 
palpable  occasion  of  the  fear  in  some  minds,  that  his 
sway  over  the  body  might  eventually  savor  more  of 
the  monarchical  than  the  democratic.  The  members, 
who  discovered  the  most  of  this  fear,  were  of  the  de- 
mocratic party ;  while  their  pastor  was  a  federalist  of 
the  straitest  sect. 

In  some  circumstances,  members  of  the  church  ex- 
posed themselves  to  his  very  pointed  admonition,  for 
their  violations  of  order,  and  their  personal  allusions 
to  the  moderator.  He  claimed,  that  the  chair  should 
ever  be  treated  with  respect.  He  would  not,  there- 
fore, silently  pass  unnoticed  and  unrebuked  any  mark- 
ed trespass  upon  the  rules  of  order  or  the  courtesies  of 
strict  decorum,  either  as  to  himself  or  to  any  of  the 
brethren. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  419 

He  was  never  precipitate  in  any  of  his  recommend- 
ations, always  desiring  to  have  every  measure  thor- 
oughly, but  candidly,  examined.  One  secret  of  his 
success,  as  the  Moderator  of  the  Church  was  his 
patience.  When  he  could  have  had  a  strong  vote 
upon  a  question,  agreeably  to  his  wishes,  he  often 
suggested  a  postponement  of  final  action.  Ills  pur- 
poses were  thus  most  eflectually  and  happily  accom- 
plished bf/  delaij. 

Wlien  questions  of  church  polity  seemed  to  be  of 
more  than  usual  interest  or  importance,  they  were 
made  the  subject  of  careful  and  elaborate  discussion 
in  the  pulpit.  In  this  manner,  the  pastor  enlightened 
the  minds  of  his  people  generally,  relative  to  the  fun- 
damental principles  of  ecclesiastical  order.  Some  of 
his  most  able  and  interesting  discourses,  were  occa- 
sioned by  the  administration  of  church  discipline. 
And  so  steadfastly  did  the  pastor  pursue  his  design  of 
establishing  the  church,  upon  the  soundest  principles 
and  most  exact  procedure  of  an  efficient  Congrega- 
tionalism ;  so  powerful  were  the  arguments  by  which 
he  enforced  the  measures,  which  he  deemed  expedient 
or  necessary  for  the  welfare  of  a  church,  as  an  organ- 
ized body  ;  so  judicious  was  the  method,  by  which  in- 
dividuals were  led  to  contemplate  some  old  usages  as 
abuses,  and  new  modes  as  a  "  more  excellent  way  ;" — 
that,  in  a  comparatively  brief  period,  he  had  the  satis- 
faction of  seeing  such  a  provision  made,  for  ordinary 
and  extraordinary  liabilities  of  action,  as  to  render  it 
altogether  improbable,  that  in  any  contingency,  there 
would  be  occasion  for  a  new  rule  or  precedent. 

In  course  of  his  ministry  in  Salem,  there  were  some 
processes  of  discipline,  in  which  his  decisions  were 
distinguished  by  all  those  characteristics,  which  have 


420  MExMOIR    OF 

given  renown  to  the  ablest  judges  on  the  bench  of  law 
and  justice.  But  for  obvious  reasons,  it  would  be  in- 
admissible to  cite  the  cases,  by  which  these  remarks 
could  be  fully  verified.  Instead  of  such  illustrations, 
a  document  from  his  pen  on  the  subject  of  "  disorderly 
walk,"  may  here  be  presented. 

"  The  Committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  ques- 
tion, '  What  is  the  duty  of  the  church  in  regard  to 
members  who  break  the  church  covenant?' — submit 
the  following  as  their  report. 

In  order  to  a  clear  view  of  this  subject,  it  seems  re- 
quisite to  recur  to  first  principles. 

Covenants  are  never  to  be  lightly  regarded.  A  cov- 
enant is  a  compact,  contract,  or  agreement,  in  which 
a  proposition  held  out  by  one  party  is  accepted  by 
another,  and  both  are  sacredly  bound,  on  the  pledge  of 
mutual  good  faith,  to  the  performance  of  the  respec- 
tive stipulations.  '  Brethren,'  says  the  apostle  to  the 
Galatians,  '  though  it  be  but  a  man's  covenant,  yet  if 
it  be  confirmed,  no  man  disannulleth,  or  addeth  there- 
unto.' A  simple  promise  is  to  be  held  sacred  ;  a  cov- 
enant is  still  more  sacred :  the  breach  of  a  simple 
promise  is  an  immorality — is  falsehood,  is  perfidy  ; 
the  breach  of  a  covenant  is  a  greater  immorality — is 
falsehood,  is  perfidy  of  a  more  heinous  character,  in 
proportion  as  the  faith  violated  by  it  was  more  solemn- 
ly pledged,  and  the  injury  done  is  greater.  Accord- 
ingly, when  the  apostle  would  give  a  strong  view  of 
the  great  wickedness  of  the  perilous  times  of  the  last 
days,  he  mentions,  among  other  enormities,  that  men 
will  be  'truce,'  or  covenant  'breakers.' 

If  covenants  merely  temporal  or  secular  are  to  be 
held  inviolable ;  how  much  more  covenants  of  a  spir- 
itual or  religious  nature  ?  Of  all  the  covenants  into 
which  men  can  enter,  none  can  have  a  higher  degree 
of  sacredness  than  the  covenant  of  a  church. 

The  church  state  is  an  institution  of  Christ,  design- 
ed for  most  im})ortant  ends.  It  is  designed  for  the 
regular  administration  of  his  holy  ordinances,  for  the 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  421 

benefit  In  many  impt)rl:inl  respects  of  his  people,  for 
light  and  conviction  to  the  world,  and  lor  the  mainte- 
nance and  advancement  of  his  cause.  The  church  is 
'the  ])illar  and  ground  of  the  truth.'  It  is  not  enough 
that  men  be  Christians;  Christ  recjuires  that  his  peo- 
ple should  associjj-te  in  a  church  state,  and  in  that  state 
so  deport  themselves,  that  the  body,  being  iitly  joined 
together  and  compacted,  may  increase,  unto  the  edi- 
fying of  itself  in  love.  There  can  be  no  church,  how- 
ever, without  a  covenant ;  the  very  existence  of  a 
church  supposes  a  covenant ;  it  is,  indeed,  by  a  cove- 
nant or  sacred  agreement,  in  which  ])drsons  professing 
godliness  solemnly  give  themselves  first  to  the  Lord, 
and  then  to  one  another,  for  the  observance  of  the  or- 
dinances of  Christ  in  the  same  society,  that  a  church 
is  constituted.  In  the  church  covenant,  avouching  the 
Lord  Jehovah  to  be  our  God,  and  ourselves  to  be  his 
people,  we  solemnly  give  up  ourselves  to  him,  and  en- 
gage to  walk  together  before  him  in  the  faith  and  or- 
der of  the  Gospel,  according  to  the  directions  of  his 
Word ;  and  we  also  give  up  ourselves  to  one  another 
in  the  Lord,  solemnly  engaging  to  walk  with  each 
other  in  holy  fellowship,  to  watch  over  each  other  in 
the  spirit  of  christian  charity,  meekness,  and  faithful- 
ness, and  humbly  to  submit  ourselves  to  the  discipline 
and  government  of  Christ  in  his  church,  for  our  mu- 
tual benefit  and  for  the  glory  of  Christ.  All  this  is 
either  distinctly  expressed  or  clearly  implied,  in  every 
church  covenant;  the  obligations  thus  induced  are 
certainly  of  the  most  sacred  kind ;  and  these  obliga- 
tions every  person,  on  joining  a  church,  takes  upon 
himself  in  the  presence  of  God,  angels,  and  men,  with 
all  the  solemnity  of  an  oath.  This  covenant,  with  all 
its  solemnities,  the  church  propounds  to  individuals ; 
to  this  covenant  all  who  become  members  consent, 
and  in  regard  to  the  obligations  of  it,  swear  fidelity 
to  God,  to  the  church,  and  to  every  member  of  the 
church. 

Every  breach  of  this  covenant,   tlierefore,  must  be 
viewed  in  a  very  serious  light ;  for  it  is  of  the  nature 

36 


422  MEMOIR    OF 

of  perjury  ;  it  is  a  violation  of  sworn  faith  to  God,  to 
the  church,  and  to  every  individual  member.  This 
surely  is  sin  ;  sin  against  God  and  men ;  sin,  the  evil 
and  guilt  of  which,  though  of  different  degrees,  accord- 
ing to  the  extent  of  the  breach  committed,  and  the 
aggravations  attending  it,  yet  in  no  case  can  be 
small. 

Such  being  the  nature  and  character  of  a  breach  of 
the  church  covenant,  a  person  chargeable  with  this 
sin  is  most  clearly  amenable,  not  only  to  God,  but 
also  to  the  church.  If  the  breach  be  of  such  a  kind  as 
to  be  manifest,  the  church  is  bound  to  take  serious 
notice  of  it ; — ^bound  in  fidelity  to  Christ,  the  head,  in 
fidelity  to  herself  as  a  body,  in  fidelity  to  each  indi- 
vidual member,  and  in  fidelity  particularly  to  the  of- 
fender. If  a  manifest  breach  of  covenant  be  suffered 
to  pass  without  due  notice,  the  tendency  of  it  must  be 
to  bring  the  covenant  into  disesteem  and  contempt  as 
an  unholy  thing,  to  weaken  and  dissolve  the  sacred 
ties  by  which  the  church  is  bound  together  and  com- 
pacted, to  frustrate  the  holy  and  important  ends  for 
which  the  church  state  was  divinely  instituted,  and  to 
produce  darkness,  confusion,  and  every  evil  work. 

Offences,  however,  which  are  properly  cognizable 
by  the  church,  may  be  of  different  degrees  of  flagrancy 
and  guilt,  and  accordingly  require  to  be  differently 
treated ;  and  though  every  such  offence,  if  rightly 
treated,  and  satisfaction  be  not  made,  must  ultimately 
issue  in  the  separation  of  the  offender  from  the  com- 
munion of  the  church;  yet  the  entire  process  of  the 
church  should  doubtless  be  more  strongly  expressive 
of  disapprobation  in  one  case,  than  in  another  less 
strongly  marked  with  guilt.  Though  an  offence  com- 
mitted by  a  true  Christian  is  not  less  sinful,  nor  less 
censurable,  than  a  similar  offence  committed  by  a  false 
professor ;  and  though  an  offender,  who,  notwith- 
standing his  ofl'ence,  may  on  the  whole  be  supposed 
by  the  church  to  be  a  subject  of  grace,  if  he  do  not 
make  satisfaction,  must  be  separated  from  the  church  ; 
yet  the  process  of  the  church  may  be  expressive  of  dif- 
ferent feelings  towards  such  an  one,  from  what  should 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  423 

be  expressed  towards  one  who  makes  it  flagrantly 
manifest,  that  he  is  utterly  graceless.  A  diflrrence  of 
this  kind  seems  to  be  clearly  indicated,  in  difl'erent 
apostolical  directions.  According  to  these  directions, 
some  are  to  be  delivered  unto  Satan,  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  flesh,  others  are  to  be  ])ointe(lly  rejected,  as 
subverted  and  self-condemned;  while  from  others,  the 
church  is  simply  to  withdraw. 

This  general  principle  is  applicable,  no  doubt,  to 
breaches  of  covenant.  As  every  kind  of  sin,  commit- 
ted by  a  church  member,  is  in  some  sense  a  violation 
of  the  church  covenant,  some  breaches  of  the  cove- 
nant may  require  the  highest  expressions  of  the 
church's  disapprobation  and  abhorrence,  while  others 
should  be  treated  with  expressions  of  a  milder  char- 
acter. 

Those  from  whom  the  church  are  commanded  only 
to  withdraw,  are  characterized  as  persons  wdio  walk 
disorderly.  The  original  word  rendered  disorderly  is 
a  military  term,  and  is  primarily  applicable  to  sol- 
diers who  quit  their  ranks,  desert  their  posts,  or  will 
not  submit  to  the  rules  and  orders  of  the  army ;  and 
hence,  in  the  church,  it  seems  to  be  particularly  appli- 
cable to  such  as  walk  in  violation  of  the  rules  and 
covenant  of  the  church,  but  whose  characters  in  other 
respects  are  not  manifestly  immoral  or  reprehensible. 
If,  indeed,  a  member  renounce  the  church,  its  com- 
munion and  ordinances,  he  walks  disorderly  to  a  very 
great  extent.  He  breaks  and  casts  off  the  whole 
church  covenant  at  once  ;  quits  his  ranks  and  deserts 
his  post  entirely  ;  and  utterly  withdraws  himself  from 
all  the  solemn  obligations  of  membership.  This  can- 
not be  a  light  offence  against  the  church  ;  nor  can  it, 
unless  the  church  is  manifestly  removed  from  the 
foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  or  so  corrupt 
as  not  to  be  a  church  of  Christ,  be  a  small  sin  against 
God.  Yet,  even  in  regard  to  such  a  person,  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  case  may  be  such  as  to  render  a 
simple,  though  solemn,  withdrawment  from  him,  on 
the  part  of  the  church,  the  proper  procedure. 

These  views  of  the  subject  at  large,  the  committee 


424  MEMOIR    OF 

would  respectfully  recommend  to  the  serious  consider- 
ation of  the  church  ;  and  particularly  submit  it  as 
their  opinion,  that  in  regard  to  members  who  mani- 
festly break  the  church  covenant,  but  with  no  special 
ofiensiveness  of  temper  or  deportm.ent,  it  is  the  duty 
of  the  church,  after  proper  admonition  and  due  long- 
sufiering,  solemnly  to  Avithdraw  from  them,  according 
to  the  injunction  in  2  Thess.  iii.  6,  and  the  exhortation 
in  Rom.  xvi.  17. 

Samuel  Worcester." 

At  different  periods  of  his  ministry  in  Salem,  Dr. 
Worcester  wrote  many  letters  in  answer  to  questions 
of  church  order  and  congregational  usage.  He  kept 
no  copies  of  such  letters  ;  but  a  few  have  been  furnish- 
ed for  these  pages. 

"  Should  baptism  always  be  administered  in  pub- 
lic ?"     Answer : 

"I  know  of  nothing  in  the  divine  word,  which  re- 
quires baptism  to  be  administered  publicly  rather  than 
privately.  Still,  there  are  obvious  reasons,  why  it 
should  generally  be  administered  publicly.  It  is  an 
ordinance  belonging  to  the  church,  in  which  the  whole 
body  has  an  interest  and  a  fellowship,  and  in  which 
they  should  unitedly  act  in  the  way  of  faith  and  prayer; 
the  public  administration  also  gives  solemnity  and  im- 
portance to  the  transaction,  tending  to  impress  the 
minds  of  the  parents,  to  edify  and  quicken  the  church, 
and  to  arrest  the  attention  and  convince  the  minds  of 
others.  These  are  no  light  reasons  for  a  public  ad- 
ministration. Still  it  is  lawful,  and,  in  some  instances, 
no  doubt,  expedient  to  administer  privately. 

I  have  done  it  in  a  few  instances  :  in  cases  of  sick- 
ness or  feeble  health  ;  of  inconvenience  on  account  of 
poverty  in  fitting  a  fainily  of  children  for  a  decent 
public  appearance  ;  of  difficulty  on  account  of  turbu- 
lence of  disposition  ;  in  one  instance  in  which  the 
churlish  unbelieving  husband  was  willing  to  allow  the 
child  to  be  baptized  at  home,  but  not  to  be  carried  to 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  425 

meeting;  and  in  one  instance  of  an  illegitimate  child, 
in  which  the  circumstances  might  occasion  re})roach, 
or  scandal,  if  the  administration  were  ]mblic,  though 
the  duty  of  baptizing  w^as  clear  in  the  judgment  of 
christian  charity.  I  do  not  recollect  an  instance,  which 
does  not  fall  under  one  or  other  of  these  peculiarities 
of  circumstance.  From  your  statement  of  your  case, 
I  think  I  should  converse  kindly  on  the  subject,  and 
let  my  views  of  the  desirableness  and  importance  of  a 
public  administration  be  understood.  But  if  the  pa- 
rents plead  the  ill  health,  or  turbulence  of  the  child, 
and  are  urgent  for  a  private  administration,  I  should 
comply." 

A  member  of  a  church,  being  suspected  of  a  tres- 
pass, and  much  reproached  by  "  common  fame,"  re- 
fused to  say  to  his  brethren,  w^hether  he  was  guilty  or 
not  guilty.  The  pastor  anxiously  inquired,  "  What  is 
the  duty  of  the  Church  ?"     Answer  : 

"  Your  case  must  be  a  very  trying  one.  From  your 
statement,  I  should  suppose  it  was  certainly  incumbent 
on  the  church  to  attend  to  the  case,  and  do  what  they 
could,  to  wipe  off  the  reproach.  The  rule  of  law,  that 
no  one  shall  be  required  to  give  evidence  against  him- 
self, does  not,  I  suppose,  hold  in  all  its  extent,  at  the 
bar  of  the  church.  Christians  are  to  confess  their  faults 
one  to  another.  When  one  member  of  the  church 
suffers,  all  the  members  suffer.  When  a  member  has 
incurred  the  reproach  of  having  fallen  into  scandalous 
sin,  he  owes  it  to  himself,  to  the  church,  to  the  cause 
of  religion,  to  wipe  off  the  reproach,  by  a  penitent  con- 
fession, if  he  is  guilty ;  or,  by  doing  what  he  can,  to 
clear  himself  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  brethren  and  to 
the  conviction  of  the  world,  if  he  is  innocent. 

If  your  suspected  brother  should  'declare  his  inno- 
cence,' and  there  be  not  proof  to  convict  him  of  guilt, 
I  do  not  see  that  you  would  be  justified,  in  refusing  to 
restore  him  to  fellowship.  If  he  perseveres  in  saying 
nothing,  neither  pleading  guilty,  nor  not  guilty,  neither 

36* 


426  MEMOIR    OF 

confessing  nor  denying,  and  you  have  not  evidence  to 
convict  him,  but  circumstances  still  continue  suspicious 
and  reproachful,  I  think  it  would  be  right  and  ex- 
pedient to  place  him  in  a  state  of  suspension,  and  hold 
the  case  open  to  further  investigation  and  review. 
Probably,  it  will  ere  long  be  made  manifest,  whether 
he  ought  to  be  restored,  or  to  be  put  away." 

On  "  Admonition." 

"  In  regard  to  'admonition^  the  practice  of  the  New 
England  Churches  is  extremely  various.  I  take  it  for 
granted,  that  the  '  offending  brother,'  is  supposed  to 
have  been  brought  to  the  bar  of  the  church,  and  found 
to  be  an  offender.  If  he  immediately  show  true  peni- 
tence, and  make  satisfactory  confession,  formal  admo- 
nition is  superseded.  If  he  do  not,  what  is  the  church 
to  do  ?  Some  say,  proceed  directly  to  excommunica- 
tion ;  this  being  the  most  solemn  and  impressive,  and 
therefore  the  best  and  kindest  admonition.  Others  say, 
not  so  :  but  show  forbearance,  and  use  admonition  of 
a  gentle  kind.  Of  these  last,  some  admonish  by  a 
letter,  written  and  signed  by  the  pastor,  or  by  a  com- 
mittee of  the  Church.  Some  send  a  committee  to  ad- 
monish viva  voce  ;  and  others  require  the  admonition 
to  be  administered  in  the  presence  of  the  Church.  I 
cannot  say,  which  of  these  forms  is  the  most  general. 
We  have  used  them  all,  according  to  circumstances,  or 
as  in  our  judgment  one  of  them  would  be  likely  to 
have  a  better  etfect  than  another. 

In  my  o})inion  it  is  best,  that  a  Church  should  not 
be  tied  up  to  any  precise  form  of  admonition. — '  If  he 
neglect  to  liear  the  Church,  let  him  be  '  &c.  This 
evidently  purports,  that  the  Church,  after  finding  the 
person  guilty,  is  to  use  means  to  convince  him,  and 
bring  him  to  repentance :  but  the  manner  and  form  are 
left  to  discretion.  It  should  be  the  aim  of  the  Church 
to  proceed  in  the  way,  which  is  the  most  likely  to  have 
the  best  effect;  and  in  dilFerent  cases,  circumstances 
will    indicate    ^U^rent    modes    of    treatment.     The 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  427 

Church,  I  tliink,  should  use  its  wise  and  fiiilhful  dis- 
cretion ill  every  case. 

It  is,  ill  my  opinion,  '  desirable  that  the  members  of 
the  Church  should  be  acquainted  with  what  is  done 
in  the  way  of  discipline.'  Admonition,  in  either  of  the 
specified  forms,  is  j^roperly  a  c/mrrh  act;  and  if  it  be 
so  administered,  that  the  Church  do  not  generally 
know  of  it  at  the  time,  yet  it  will  be  easily  communi- 
cated, and  an  understanding  will  be  very  much  a 
matter  of  course. 

With  us  an  offender,  while  under  admonition,  is  in 
a  state  of  suspension  ;  and  if  he  do  not  give  satisfac- 
tion, after  a  season  of  probation,  longer  or  shorter  ac- 
cording to  circumstances,  he  is  formally  and  in  a 
solemn  manner  put  away.  We  never  admonish,  or 
perform  any  act  of  discipline,  in  the  presence  of  the 
Coiigreg'ation.''^ 

In  some  orthodox  churches,  the  "  Half-way  Cove- 
nant" was  continued,  long  after  Dr.  Worcester's  settle- 
ment in  Salem.*  A  case  of  difficulty  arose  in  the 
mind  of  a  pastor,  respecting  a  man  who  had  owned 
the  covenant  and  confession  of  the  Church,  so  as  to 
have  his  children  baptized.  He  had  some  doubts,  upon 
points  of  doctrine,  but  manifested  a  good  spirit.  After 
Dr.  Worcester  had  been  consulted,  he  was  admitted  to 
full  communion.  And  it  is  pleasant  to  add,  that  "  he 
proved  to  be  a  very  excellent  christian." 

Answer  to  inquiries,  relative  to  the  qnalijication  of 
candidates  for  admission  to  the  Lord^s  table : 

"  I  do  not  wonder,  that  you  and  your  church  are 
somewhat  perplexed  with  the  case.  To  my  own  mind, 
it  presents  itself  in  rather  a  dubious  light.  From  the 
short  consideration,  however,  which   I  have  given  it, 

*  In  1771,  there  were  eighty-six  members  of  the  Tabernacle  Church,  who 
were  not  in  full  communion  ;  and  were  recorded,  as  '■'having  renewed  their 
covenant  only  J'' 


428  MEMOIR    OP 

my  impression  on  the  whole  is  favorable  to  the  appli- 
cant and  to  his  admission.  Unquestionably,  'evi- 
dence of  a  new  heart  ought '  in  all  cases  to  be  '  re- 
quired.' This  evidence,  however,  is,  in  different  cases, 
exceedingly  various  in  its  degrees,  forms,  and  aspects. 
The  observation,  which  1  have  made  durins:  nineteen 
years  ministry,  and  upon  the  results  of  four  consider- 
able revivals,  has  taught  me  to  lay  much  less  stress 
upon  a  relation  of  striking-  experiences,  than  formerly 
I  did.  I  have  had  occasion  to  weep  over  the  apostacy 
of  individuals,  who  could  utter  themselves  to  the  as- 
tonishment of  all  who  heard  them,  on  the  subject  of 
the  depravity  of  their  hearts,  the  greatness  of  their  sins, 
the  terrors  of  the  Lord, — of  a  sense  of  his  justice,  of 
their  repentance,  submission,  and  joy.  I  have  found, 
on  the  other  hand,  cause  of  great  thankfulness  to  God, 
on  account  of  individuals,  who  could  give  no  such  re- 
lation of  experiences ;  who  seemed,  indeed,  at  the  time 
of  examination,  to  have  known  but  little  of  their  hearts, 
to  have  felt  but  little  of  conviction,  and  to  have  been 
scarcely  able  to  tell  how  or  when  they  became  reli- 
gious ;  and  concerning  whom  I  had  many  and  great 
fears,  foj*  want  of  clearer  and  more  decided  evidence  of 
their  gracious  renewal.  Several  of  the  most  exemplary, 
decided,  zealous,  and  valuable  members  of  my  church, 
were  of  this  description  ;  and  what  is  remarkable,  I 
have  had  no  case  of  this  kind  which  has  turned  out 
badly.  It  may  be  to  the  purpose  also  to  remark,  that 
most  of  these  cases  have  been  of  persons,  whose  re- 
ligious education  had  been  lax, — who  had  not  been 
accustomed  to  distinguishing  instruction  in  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Gospel ! 

Does  the  man  assent  and  consent  to  the  leading 
doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  and  to  your  views  of  the  ne- 
cessity and  nature  of  experimental  religion  ?  Does  he 
appear  to  be  sincerely  humble  and  devout  ?  Does  he 
manifest  love  to  God;  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
even  in  his  blood;  love  to  his  people  and  his  cause, 
and  a  desire  to  walk  in  his  ordinances  and  to  adorn 
his  doctrine  ?  In  a  word,  does  he  on  the  whole  ap- 
pear to  be  sincerely  '  for  Christ  V    If  so,  though  neither 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


429 


you  nor  he  can  fell  how  he  came  to  be  so,  I  think  you 
would  do  rii^ht  to  receive  him  :  (ind  more  csjjcrially  as 
he  is  already  in  covenant.  This  I  should  certainly  re- 
gard as  a  reason  for  admitting  to  full  comumnion,  on 
less  evidence  than  should  be  recjuired  in  another  case; 
not  because  the  person  is  more  likely  to  be  sincerely 
pious;  but  because  great  caution  should  be  used,  not 
to  hinder  him  from  fulfilling  his  covenant  engage- 
ments." 

As  a  Congregationalist,  w^ell  instructed  and  far  bet- 
ter than  he  would  have  been,  if  such  a  necessity  had 
not  been  laid  upon  him,  at  Fitchburg,  Dr.  Worcester 
had  very  successfully  begun  a  course  of  measures, 
which  were  suited  to  make  the  Tabernacle  Church  a 
light  to  all  around,  by  its  order  and  purity.  He  had 
introduced  such  rules  of  procedure,  as  gave  the  busi- 
ness of  the  church  all  the  regularity  of  a  court  of  law. 
But  after  the  gathering  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  in 
Salem,  during  the  year  1804,  a  question  arose,  rela- 
tive to  the  propriety  of  granting  letters  of  dismission, 
to  two  or  three  members  who  washed  to  join  that 
church.  Hence  the  "  Declaratory  Articles,"  adopt- 
ed by  the  Tabernacle  Church,  Jan.  7,  1805. 

"  As  some  unhappy  irregularities  have  lately  been 
committed,  on  the  part  of  members  of  this  church,  in 
relation  to  the  Baptist  Communion  ;  in  order  to  pre- 
vent the  occurrence  in  future  of  any  such  or  similar  ir- 
regularities, and  to  provide,  as  far  as  possible,  against 
any  misunderstanding,  or  collision  with  our  Baptist 
brethren  : — We,  the  Tabernacle  Church  of  Christ,  in 
Salem,  after  due  deliberation,  think  it  proper  to  adopt 
the  following  Declaratory  Articles^  as  formal  expres- 
sions of  our  views,  respecting  our  Baptist  brethren,  and 
as  standing  regulations  to  be,  by  us  as  a  body,  and  as 
individual  members,  sacredly  observed. 

I.     Although,  in  the    opinion    of  this    church,  our 


430  MEMOIR    OF 

Baptist  brethren,  in  denying  baptism  to  the  infant  seed 
of  believers,  and  in  holding  immersion  to  be  the 
mode,  and  the  only  mode  of  Christian  baptism,  are 
really  in  an  error  of  very  serious  consequences,  and 
against  which  it  is  our  duty  to  bear  our  solemn  and 
decided  testimony  ;  yet  we  charitably  view  it  to  be  an 
error  of  such  a  nature,  as  is  not  altogether  incompati- 
ble, either  with  Christian  sincerity,  or  with  a  Christian 
church  state. 

II.  We  wish  to  be  understood,  that  on  our  part  we 
are  perfectly  disposed  to  meet  regular  Baptist  Church- 
es, and  we  cordially  invite  them,  their  elders,  and 
members,  to  meet  us,  on  the  ingenuous  and  brotherly 
ground,  not  o'nly  of  Christian  charity,  but  of  recipro- 
cal Christian  communion,  such  as  obtains  between 
churches  of  the  same  order  and  denomination.  And 
if  they  refuse  to  meet  us  on  this  desirable  ground  ; 
though  faithful  to  ourselves,  to  our  sentiments,  and 
general  connection,  yet  we  deem  it  incumbent  on  us, 
as  the  part  of  charity  and  duty,  to  refrain  from  all  un- 
brotherly  interference,  whether  open  or  covert,  with 
them ;  and  as  much  as  in  us  lies,  to  cultivate  with 
them  the  relations  of  Christian  affection,  harmony,  and 
peace. 

III.  As  true  Christian  believers  are  all  baptized  by 
one  Spirit  into  one  body^  those  of  our  Baptist  brethren, 
who  renounce  the  communion  of  regular  Pedobaptist 
churches  and  professors,  merely  on  account  of  a  differ- 
ence acknowledgedly  conscientious,  respecting  exter- 
nal or  symbolical  baptism,  we  are  constrained  to  con- 
sider, as  acting  a  part  wholly  repugnant  to  the  spirit 
of  that  charity,  which  is  the  bond  of  perfectness,  and 
grievously  wounding  to  Christ  in  the  house  of  his 
friends. 

IV.  As  any  and  every  attempt,  on  the  part  of  Bap- 
tists, to  seduce  the  members  of  this  church  from  their 
fidelity  to  us,  or  by  any  means  to  persuade  or  induce 
them,  to  withdraw  from  our  communion  ;  and  thus  not 
only  perjuriously  to  violate,  but  also  to  renounce  their 
solemn  covenant  with  us,  is  in  our  view  in  a  high  de- 
gree disorderly  and  unchristian  ;    so,  for  any   of  our 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  431 

members  to  invite  or  encourage  such  seduction  or  per- 
suasion, we  view  to  be  altogether  unjust iliable,  and 
incompatible  with  their  sacred  vows. 

V.  If  at  any  time  any  member  of  this  church  have 
serious  doubts,  or  conscientious  scruples  respecting 
baptism,  as  practised  by  us,  we  hold  it  to  be  the  sacred 
covenant  duty  of  such  member,  in  a  free  and  christian 
manner  to  communicate  such  doubts  and  scruples  to 
us  ;  and  to  give  us  fair  o))portunity  to  use  our  brother- 
ly endeavors  to  remove  them, — previously  to  any  ap- 
plication, or  even  intimation  to  Baptists,  on  the  suId- 
ject. 

VI.  If  any  member  of  this  church,  after  free  com- 
munication with  us,  as  specified  in  the  preceding  ar- 
ticle, and  proper  time  taken  deliberately  and  prayer- 
fully to  consider  the  subject,  shall  still  be  dissatisiied 
respecting  his  or  her  baptism,  and  believe  it  to  be  a 
duty  to  be  baptized  in  the  Baptist  way, — it  does  not 
become  us  to  bind  or  restrain  the  consciences  of  any. 
We  think  ourselves  in  charity  bound,  in  such  a  case,  to 
indulge  a  brother,  or  sister,  in  a  regular  application  for 
baptism  to  any  regular  administrator:  provided,  such 
a  brother  or  sister  will  either  continue  in  particular  re- 
lation to  us,  or  not  utterly  renounce  our  covenant  and 
conmiunion.  But  w^e  conceive  it  to  be  utterly  incom- 
patible with  the  sacred  nature  of  our  solemn  vows,  and 
with  the  fidelity  which  w^e  owe  to  the  Great  Hea(J  of 
the  Church,  to  sanction,  by  any  formal  act  of  our  own, 
a  renunciation  on  the  part  of  any  of  our  members,  of 
our  covenant  and  special  communion." 

Jan.  9.  The  first  pastor  of  the  new  church, — since 
so  extensively  known  as  the  Rev.  Lucius  Bolles,  D.  D., 
Cor.  Sec.  of  the  American  Baptist  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions, — ^was  ordained,  and  the  services  were  held  in 
the  Tabernacle.  Soon  afterwards,  Dr.  Worcester  ad- 
dressed him  a  friendly  note,  enclosing  a  copy  of  the 
Articles. 


432  MEMOIR    OF 

Rev.  Lucius  BoUes. 

''Salem,  Jan.  17,  1805. 
Rev.  and  dear  -Sir, — 

I  take  leave  to  transmit  to  you  the  enclosed  '  Arti' 
cles,  lately  adopted  by  the  Tabernacle  Church.  In 
taking  the  ground  we  have  thus  formally  marked  out, 
we  have  been  deliberate,  and  have  been  influenced,  I 
trust,  by  the  spirit  of  Christian  fidelity  and  candor.— 
M.  M.,  a  sister  of  this  church,  has  had  the  offer  of  a 
letter  of  dismission,  in  conformity  with  these  Ai'ticles ; 
and  you  will  readily  perceive  how  difficult  it  would  be 
for  us,  to  justify  our  act  to  our  own  consciences,  should 
we  grant  her  a  letter  upon  any  other  principle.  Should 
one  of  your  sisters,  dear  Sir,  come  forward  and  declare 
to  you,  that  she  could  no  longer  consider  you  as  a 
Church  of  Christ,  that  she  regarded  the  covenant  vows, 
which,  in  connection  with  you,  she  had  publicly  made 
to  God,  as  a  mere  nullity;  and,  accordingly,  should  go 
out  from  you,  renouncing  and  declaring  her  intention 
utterly  to  renounce  your  communion  and  worship ; 
would  you  not  find  some  difficulty  in  the  way  of  grant- 
ing her  a  letter  of  dismission,  as  a  member  of  your 
body  in  regular  standing  ?  Would  you  not  immedi- 
ately perceive,  that,  in  granting  a  dismission  in  such 
a  case,  you  would  not  only  pass  over,  as  no  irregular- 
ity or  oftence,  an  utter  renunciation  of  the  most  sacred 
and  solemn  vows ;  but  even  testify  your  approval  of 
such  a  renunciation,  and  by  a  formal  act  of  your  own, 
ratify  and  confirm  it  ? — Our  covenant  we  hold  sacred  ; 
and  we  frankly  confess,  that  we  believe  it  to  be  alto- 
gether a  mistaken  idea,  that,  in  order  to  be  a  consis- 
tent Baptist,  a  person  must  nullify  the  covenants,  and 
refuse  the  communion  of  Pedobaptist  churches. 

I  embrace  this  opportunity  to  give  you  assurance  of 
my  high  satisfaction  in  the  choice  made  of  a  pastor, 
by  the  Baptist  Church  in  this  place  ;  and  of  my  sincere 
disposition  to  cultivate  with  you  the  most  perfect  har- 
mony and  friendship.  AVith  sentiments  of  respect, 
I  am.  Reverend  and  dear  Sir, 

Yours,  in  the  hope  of  the  Gospel, 

Samuel  Worcester,  Pastor,"  &c. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  433 

The  answer,  acknowled^ini^  the  reception  of  the 
Articles,  «k:c.,  was  really  controversial,  although  the 
writer  disclaimed  the  iiitenti(3n  of  controversy,  and 
"  reciprocated  all  the  affectionate  feelings  expressed  to- 
wards "  him  by  the  pastor  of  the  Tabernacle  ; — "  wish- 
ing," also,  that  his  "  labors  might  be  abundantly 
blessed  in  winning  souls  to  the  Redeemer's  interest." 
A  reply  was  made,  which,  while  unexceptionable  in 
manner  and  spirit,  was  "  weighty  and  powerful "  in 
defence  of  the  Ai'ticles,  and  in  refutation  of  the  objec- 
tions, both  general  and  particular,  which  had  been 
urged  against  them.* 

Note  from  Rev.  Mr.  BoUes. 

"  Mr.  BoUes  presents  his  compliments  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Worcester,  and  thanks  him  for  his  letter  of  the 
second  instant;  but  feels  indisposed,  at  present,  to  de- 
part from  the  original  intention  expressed  in  his  first ^ 
and  become  an  epistolary  disputant. 

Mr.  B.  will  cheerfully  receive  Mr.  Worcester,  at  his 
lodgings,  or  will  wait  upon  him,  at  his  own  house,  (if 
requested  for  that  purpose,)  and  converse  upon  the 
subject  of  the  correspondence. 

Salem,  March  30,  1805." 


Answer  to  the  preceding  Note. 

"  Mr.  Worcester  returns  his  compliments  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  BoUes,  thanks  him  for  his  politeness,  and  assures 
him,  that  there  is  not  the  least  disposition,  on  Mr.  W.'s 
part,  to  engage  in  an  epistolary  dispute.  It  has  been 
with  equal  regret  and  surprise,  that  Mr.  W.  has  learned 
that  his  communications  to  Mr.  BoUes  have  been  un- 
kindly received,  and  unfavorably  spoken  of;  if  not  by 

*  But  the  reply  should  be  rearl  in  connection  with  the  "  answer,"  which 
occasioned  it  ;  and  to  publish  this  might  be  thought  a  matter  of  doubtfu[ 
propriety. 

37 


434  MEMOIR    OF 

JNIr.  BolJes  himself,  at  least  by  some  of  his  friends. 
Nothing  was  less  intended  or  less  expected.  No  com- 
munications would  have  been  made,  had  there  not 
been  special  occasion  for  them  ;  and  the  communica- 
tions which  were  made,  were  intended  not  to  create 
misunderstandings  and  animosities,  but  to  remove  and 
prevent  them.  Mr.  W.  has  no  idea,  that  an  open,  in- 
genuous expression  of  sentiments  and  views  is  in  the 
least  incompatible  with  the  most  friendly  disposition, 
or  with  the  maintenance  of  the  most  friendly  inter- 
course, and  the  most  peaceable  state.  He  believes, 
that  wherein  Christian  brethren  sentimentally  disa- 
gree, it  is  desirable,  that  they  should  understand 
each  other  perfectly  ;  and  with  this  perfect  understand- 
ing, mutually  display  the  amiable  spirit  of  Christian 
candor,  and  forbearance,  and  charity.  And  he  hopes, 
that  however  fralik  he  may  be  in  expressing  his  senti- 
ments, or  firm  in  maintaining  them,  he  shall  never  be 
found  to  manifest  towards  his  Baptist  brethren  a  con- 
temptuous, unfriendly,  or  unbrotherly  disposition. 

Mr.  Worcester  has  no  particular  wish,  and  no  un- 
willingness to  converse  with  Mr.  BoUes  '  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  correspondence  ; '  but  he  will  be  happy  to 
wait  on  Mr.  Bolles,  whenever  ]\L\  Bolles  shall  make  it 
convenient  to  give  him  the  pleasm*e. 

Sale?)!,  April  1,  1805.*" 

This  "  Note  "  is  conceived  to  be  of  some  importance, 
as  showing  the  spirit  and  principles  of  the  writer,  in 
his  public  course,  not  only  on  the  subject  of  baptism, 
in  its  varied  relations,  but  other  subjects,  in  regard  to 
which  he  was  constrained  to  oppose  the  doctrines  or 
statements  of  others.  It  was  in  his  judgment,  the 
"  more  excellent  way  "  for  Christian  brethren,  when 
they  "  sentimentally  disagree,"  or  when  any  collision 
whatever  occurs, — to  have  "  an  open,  ingenuous  ex- 
pression of  sentiments  and  views."  He  could  not  al- 
low, that  such   an  expression  "is  in  the  least  incom- 


SAAIUEL    WORCESTER.  43'3 

patiblc  with  the  most  friendly  disposition,  or  with  the 
maintenance  of  the  most  friendly  intercourse,  and  the 
most  peaceable  state."  Was  he  not  correct  ?  And 
how  lamentable,  then,  it  is,  that  brethren  of  the  same 
denomination,  as  well  as  those  of  different  denomina- 
tions, are  so  often  ready  to  consider  the  kindest  efforts 
to  adjust  differences,  as  if  the  undoubted  work  of  a 
lover  of  controversy  for  its  own  sake,  and  a  destroyer 
of  peace,  for  no  imaginable  end,  but  his  own  pleasure 
in  "stirring  up  strife."  And  the  more  decisive  the 
witness  of  his  facts,  and  the  more  unanswerable  the 
logic  of  his  arguments,  the  greater,  it  would  seem,  is 
the  offence  which  he  commits  ! 

The  new  Congregational  "  Branch  Church  "  origi- 
nated in  a  disagreement  of  brethren,  upon  certain 
questions,  before  Dr.  Worcester  came  to  Salem.  Hon- 
estly sustaining  the  views  of  the  Tabernacle  Church, 
yet  most  anxious  to  have  the  best  understanding  with 
IJie  pastor  and  brethren  of  the  other  church,  he  was, 
for  years,  personally  odious  to  some  of  those  brethren  ; 
and  was  the  object  of  imputations,  for  which  there 
really  was  no  more  foundation  in  truth,  and  no  more 
warrant  in  Christian  love,  than  Diotrephes  had  for 
"  prating  with  malicious  words  against  "  the  beloved 
disciple.  And  it  would  not  be  right  to  conceal  the 
fact,  that,  at  several  periods  more  particularly,  there 
were  those  in  Salem  and  other  places,  who  accused 
him  of  a  spirit,  which  had  not  the  least  place  in  his 
heart,  and  ascribed  to  him  intentions  and  motives, 
which  were  the  very  opposite  of  the  true. 

It  affords  the  purest  gratification  to  be  able  to  state, 
that,  although  for  a  time  the  occasions  of  excited  feel- 
ing between  the  Tabernacle  and  First  Baptist  Church- 
es, rather   increased  than  diminished ;  yet,  ultimately, 


436  MEMOIR    OP 

the  pastors  could  exchange  with  each  other,  as  breth- 
ren in  the  Lord,  without  any  apprehension  of  being 
unwelcome  in  each  other's  pulpits  respectively.  It 
may  be  further  said,  that  the  same  friendly  inter- 
course has  been  continued ;  and  all  the  good  results, 
which  Dr.  Worcester  anticipated  from  the  formation 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  have  been  more  than  real- 
ized. 

Rev,  Leonard  Worcester, 

«  Salem,  Feb.  25,  1805. 
My  dear  Brother, — 

Yours  of  the  21st  ult.  came  duly  to  hand.  It  is  al- 
ways with  the  most  lively  interest  and  pleasure  that  I 
hear  of  your  welfare,  and  of  the  welfare  of  your  dear 
family.  Since  you  were  at  Salem,  my  health  has  been 
so  much  impaired,  that  I  have  been  obliged  to  discon- 
tinue some  of  my  extra  services,  and  even  my  ordina- 
ry services  I  have  been  in  some  instances  unable  to 
perform.  At  present,  however,  I  enjoy  in  common 
with  my  family,  a  very  comfortable  state.  On  the  5th 
of  November  we  received  from  the  Fountain  of  bless- 
ings another  daughter.  Her  name  is  Zervia  Fidelia, 
At  present  she  is  a  lovely,  promising  babe  ;  but  we 
have  painful  reasons  not  to  forget,  that  she  is  not  our 
own ! 

We  heard  from  Hollis  last  week — all  well.  As  for 
news  of  an  interesting  nature,  I  have  none.  We  have 
a  Baptist  minister  settled  in  this  town — a  very  prom- 
ising young  man.  Mr.  Spauldi ng  is  here,  but  not  yet 
installed.  Mr.  Emerson  has  answered  the  call  of  ^Ir. 
Hopkins'  chvirch,  in  tlie  affirmative.  You  will  perhaps 
wish  to  know,  whether  the  changes  and  new  things 
which  have  taken  place  have  emptied  the  Tabernacle. 
Not  quite.  About  half  a  dozen  families,  of  little  con- 
sequence to  the  society,  have  gone  to  the  Baptists  ;  and 
two  or  three  to  Mr.  Spaulding's  "  BranchJ^  Their 
places,  however,  were  immediately  supplied;  and  sev- 
eral families,  who  have  been  waiting  for  room,  in  the 


SAMUEL     WORCESTER.  437 

expeetntioii  that  more  would  go  away,  scorn  at  pre- 
sent likely  to  be  disaj^poiiited.  In  a  word,  the  stabil- 
ity of  the  Tab(M'nacle  Society  has  been  hitherto  not 
less  astonishing  than  pleasing.  How  Mr.  H[)aulding 
will  succeed,  I  dare  not  conjecture.  The  general  re- 
mark, is,  that  his  prospects  are  beyond  all  expectation, 
dark  and  discouraging.  He  says  himself,  that  he  came 
here  to  die. 

He  who  gave  to  the  ocean  his  decree,  that  the  waters 
should  not  pass  his  commandment,  will  say  to  the 
tempestuous  sea  of  democracy, — "  Hitherto  shalt  thou 
come,  and  here  shall  thy  proud  waves  be  stayed."  In 
this  confidence  it  becomes  us  to  remain  unmoved,  and 
await  the  awful  crisis !  In  this  Commonwealth  every 
exertion  is  making  to  prevent  the  re-election  of  our 
worthy  Governor ;  what  will  be  the  issue  time  must 
disclose.  You  have  doubtless  seen  by  the  papers, 
what  a  figure  Mr.  Jefferson  has  made  in  our  State 
Leofislature. 

Give  our  love  to  our  dear  sister,  and  to  the  children  ; 
and  accept  a  generous  share  of  it  for  yourself. 
Yours,  in  the  bonds  of  fraternal  aifection, 

Samuel  Worcester." 

On  the  24th  of  April,  Dr.  Worcester,  in  giving  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship,  at  the  ordination  of  the  pre- 
sent senior  pastor  of  the  South  Church, — Rev.  Dr. 
Emerson, — began  with  observations  upon  "  true  fel- 
lowship," as  "  founded  in  true  benevolence,"  and  as 
being  "  the  bond  and  perfection  of  the  universe." — In  a 
direct  address  to  the  colleague  pastor  elect,  he  in- 
quired : — 

"  Is  it  possible,  my  brother,  that  the  friends  and  dis- 
ciples of  the  meek  and  benevolent  Redeemer,  should 
ever  be  at  variance  among  themselves  ?  Is  it  possible, 
that  there  should  be  animosities  and  feuds  among  the 
ministers  and  subjects  of  the  "  Prince  of  Peace  ?  " — 
Alas !  we  have  the  most  melancholy  proofs,  that  it  is 

37* 


438  MEMOIR    OF 

possible.  Look  around  upon  the  Christian  world. 
How  many  different  parties,  and  names,  and  interests, 
every  where  prevail  I  By  a  bigoted  zeal  for  modes  and 
forms,  by  a  misplaced  stress  upon  points  of  but  small 
comparative  importance,  by  partial  attachments  and 
ardent  competitions, — brother  is  separated  from  broth- 
er, minister  from  minister,  church  from  church.  The 
bonds  of  fellowship  are  broken,  and  the  blood  of  the 
Redeemer  is  violated  ;  peace  is  driven  from  her  proper 
dwelling,  charity  weeps  over  the  affecting  scene,  and 
the  enemy  rejoices.  Is  it  thus,  that  Christians  are  to 
convince  the  world  of  the  excellency  of  the  Gospel  ? 
Is  it  thus,  that  they  are  to  promote  the  honor  and  the 
kingdom  of  their  common  Savior  and  Lord  ? 

My  dear  Sir,  let  there  be  no  strife  between  me  and 
thee,  and  between  my  people  and  thy  people ;  for  we 
are  brethren.  Let  us  never  forget,  that  there  is  one 
body  and  one  spirit,  even  as  we  are  called  in  one  hope 
of  our  calling.  Let  it  be  our  care  to  heal,  as  far  as 
possible,  the  bleeding  wounds  in  the  body  of  Christ. 
Let  it  be  our  endeavor,  to  display  the  true  spirit  of  the 
Gospel,  to  cultivate  Christian  affection,  harmony,  and 
peace,  and  to  promote  among  all  who  love  our  Lord 
Jesus,  that  charity  which  suffereth  long  and  is  kind, 
and  which  is  the  bond  of  perfectness. 

God  Almighty  bless  thee,  my  brother.  May  your 
ministry  be  long,  successful,  and  happy.  As  your  la- 
bors and  your  trials  abound,  so  may  your  consolations 
also  abound.  May  you  obtain  grace  of  the  Lord  to 
be  faithful  unto  death  ;  and  then  may  you  receive  the 
crown  of  life."  * 

With  the  "  Branch  Church,"  the  Tabernacle  de- 
clined "  a  free  interchange  of  offices  of  fellowship  ;" 
and  the  pastor,  of  course,  could  not  preach  in  "  a  free 
interchange  of  pulpits,"  so  long  as  certain  "obstacles" 
were  "  in  the  way,"  which,  as  he  and  the  brethren  "re- 

*  Some  historic  incidents  and  circumstances,  which  would  be  suggested 
to  many,  probably  gave  additional  eflect  to  this  high-minded  expressioa  of 
unfeigned  brotherly  kindness. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTKR.  439 

peatedly  exprepsed,"  "might  be  in  the  true  spirit  of 
the  Gospel  removed."  In  a  communication  to  the 
Branch  Church,  it  was  said  : 

"  While  according  to  an  Article  of  our  Church 
Code,  referring  to  15th  ch.  of  the  Cambridge  l^lat- 
form,  we  are  ready  to  hold  communion  with  all  the 
churches  of  Christ,  in  all  things  in  which  we  are  mu- 
tually agreed,  so  far  as  there  shall  be  o})portunity ;  yet 
we  do  not  feel  ourselves  bound,  without  any  discretion 
in  the  case,  to  exercise  acts  of  fellowship,  of  all  kinds, 
with  every  body  of  professed  Christians,  which  has 
been  recognized  by  a  council,  as  a  church  of  Christ, 
or  even  as  a  Congregational  Church.  As  we  are  con- 
fident, that  such  an  extension  of  the  principle  of  fel- 
lowship, was  not  within  the  contemplation  of  the  fra- 
mers  of  the  Cambridge  Platform,  and  has  never  been 
practically  recognized  by  the  generality  of  Congrega- 
tional churches  ;  so  we  believe  it  is  not  warranted  by 
the  word  of  God ;  but  is  obviously  incompatible  with 
the  power,  which  Christ  has  delegated  to  the  churches, 
and  with  the  sacred  obligations  on  them  severally,  to 
let  their  light  shine,  to  prove  all  things,  to  hold  fast 
that  which  is  good,  to  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith 
once  delivered  to  the  saints,  and  generally  to  maintain 
the  purity  of  the  christian  profession. 

The  gi'and  distinctive  principle  of  Congregational- 
ism is,  that,  according  to  the  law  of  Christ,  each  par- 
ticular church  is  vested  with  power  in  itself  to  admit 
members  to  its  communion  and  to  exclude  them  from 
it,  and  to  exercise  all  the  functions  of  discipline  re- 
quisite for  the  preservation  of  its  order  and  purity. 
But  this  principle  might  be  subverted,  or  rendered  a 
mere  nullity,  were  the  rule  which  is  set  up  in  the  com- 
munication from  the  Branch  Church,  to  be  carried  into 
general  practice.     For  according  to  this  rule,*  Councils 

*  It  was  contended,  that  the  Branch  Church  had  "  ?l  formal  standi ng^^  by 
the  recog-nition  of  a  Council ;  and  that  this  was  sufncient  as  a  claim  of  fellow- 
ship, "  in  common  with  all  or  any  one  of  the  churches  of  our  cong-reg-ational 
order,  however  great  the  diflerences,  either  in  belief  or  praclicc!"     Such  a 


440  MEMOIR    OF 

must  have  a  paramount  control  of  the  churches,  and 
power  to  determine  not  only  with  what  churches,  but 
also  with  what  individuals  a  particular  church  shall 
have  communion.  According  to  this  rule,  if  a  person 
excommunicated  from  this  Church,  were,  by  advice  of 
Council,  to  be  received  into  the  Branch  Church,  we 
should  be  obliged  still  to  hold  communion  with  the 
Branch  Church,  and  of  course,  icith  the  person  irhom 
we  had  excommunicated ;  and,  therefore,  should  that 
same  person  be  commended  back  to  us  by  the  Branch 
Church,  we  should  be  obliged  to  receive  him,  although 
we  might  have  the  fullest  evidence,  that  our  censure 
upon  him  was  just,  and  that  he  is  not  a  proper  subject 
of  our  christian  communion. 

We  have  known  an  instance,  indeed,  in  which  a 
body,  composed  principally  of  persons  excommunicated 
from  a  particular  church,  has  been  recognized  by  a 
council,  as  a  church  of  Christ ;  but  with  that  corrupt 
body  and  all  its  members  according  to  the  rule  set  up 
by  the  Branch  Church,  the  Church  from  whose  com- 
munion those  persons  were  cut  off',  and  all  the  churches 
in  the  vicinity,  must  now  hold  communion.  This,  we 
say,  is  subversive  of  the  fundamental  principle  of 
Congregationalism;  and  therefore  utterly  incompatible 
with  Platform  and  Scripture.  We  can  by  no  means 
admit,  that  genuine  Congregationalism  involves  prin- 
ciples, so  obviously  destructive  of  each  other ;  and  from 
which  the  state  of  things  deplored  by  the  Branch 
Church  must  necessarily  result. 

While,  therefore,  we  admit,  and  wish  to  maintain 
the  Scriptural  principle  of  communion  among  church- 
es ;  we  also  hold,  that  this  principle  allows  to  each 
particular  church  the  exercise  of  a  prudent  and  faith- 
ful discretion,  in  regard  to  its  communion  with  others. 
We  believe,  also,  that  withholding  fellowship  from  a 

claim  as  this,  Dr.  W.  utterly  denied. — Other  points  of  variance  need  not  here 
be  introduced.  It  was  ten  or  twelve  years,  before  there  was  even  the  form 
of  an  adjustment  of  existing  differences,  so  that  the  usual  "interchange  of 
fellowship  "  of  Congregational  churches  could  begin.  Dr.  W.'s  elforls  to 
accomplish  a  full  and  cordial  adjustment,  were,  for  a  long  lime,  entirely 
without  success. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  411 

new  churcli  is  a  very  difTercnt  thinc^,  from  actually 
withdrawing  from  an  old  one;  the  latter  carries  in  it.  a 
positive  censure,  while  the  former  may  impart  no  more 
than  a  mere  want  of  information  or  explanation/'  *  *  * 

In  this  connexion,  it  may  be  mentioned,  that,  from 
a  very  early  day  after  his  settlement  in  Salem,  Dr. 
Worcester  had  manifested  towards  Coni?ren:ational 
churches  and  pastors,  the  utmost  liberality  of  fellow- 
ship, which  would  be  consistent  with  fundamental 
principles  of  Christian  doctrine  and  practice.  He  ex- 
changed with  the  pastors  of  the  First  and  the  North 
Churches,  although  these  were  known  to  be  more  Ar- 
minian  than  Calvinistic.  But  as  at  Fitchburg,  he 
could  occasionally  interchange  labors  with  clergymen 
of  the  class  of  "  Cephas,"  so  he  did  at  Salem  ;  until  the 
time  came,  when  few  were  to  be  found,  except  in  the 
class  of  "  Eu^ebius,"  or  in  that  of  "  Catholicus." 

And  as  he  felt  that  there  was  an  urgent  need  of 
combining  all  the  available  strength  of  those,  who 
were  "  one  in  Christ  Jesus,"  he  sincerely  rejoiced  in 
any  accession  to  the  cause  of  vital  piety,  under  whatever 
denominational  name.  Any  indications  of  increasing 
spirituality  in  the  Episcopal  churches,  he  hailed  with 
very  special  pleasure.  And  in  demonstration  of  his  truly 
Catholic  spirit — heaven-wide  from  all  bigotry  and  bit- 
terness of  sect  or  party, — he  gave  the  aid  of  his  sym- 
pathy and  services  to  a  small  company  of  Baptists, 
who  were  endeavoring  to  establish  public  worship  and 
the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  in  a  neighboring  locality, 
where  Christians  were  few  and  these  nearly  all  Bap- 
tists. It  was  shortly  after  his  controversial  Letters  to 
Dr.  Baldwin.  And  such  was  his  solicitude  for  the 
success  of  the  little  band  of  Baptists,  at  Danvers,  New 
Mills,  that,  when  feeble,  or  weary  and  worn,  he  went 


442  MEMOIR    OP 

and  held  evening  meetings,  for  their  encouragement 
and  enlargement.  He  would  not  have  been  willing  to 
countenance  any  Congregational  interference.  What 
he  there  did,  was  gratefully  appreciated  and  never  for- 
gotten by  those,  who  lived  to  rejoice  in  the  success  of 
their  self-denying  exertions. 

In  the  summer  of  1805,  different  circumstances  hav- 
ing contributed  to  make  the  subject  of  baptism  a  topic 
of  incessant  inquiry  and  dispute,  he  thought  it  best  to 
exhibit  to  his  own  people  his  views  of  all  the  points 
at  issue,  in  one  connected,  complete,  and  conclusive 
presentation.  He  preached  "  Two  Discourses,  on  the 
Perpetuity  and  Provision  of  God's  gracious  Covenant 
with  Abraham  and  his  Seed."  These  were  unani- 
mously and  earnestly  requested  for  the  press,  by  a  vote 
of  the  church ;  and  were  printed,  with  some  enlarge- 
ment* probably,  and  with  the  addition  of  notes,  which 
were  found,  by  those  who  differed  from  the  doctrine  of 
the  Discourses,  to  be  quite  as  unmanageable,  as  any 
part  of  the  regular  and  elaborate  argument  from  the 
word  of  God,  the  voice  of  history,  and  the  counsels  of 
enlightened  reason. 

It  would  be  a  vain  attempt  to  do  justice  to  these 
Discourses,  by  extracts  for  which  space  can  here  be 
afforded.  The  substance  was  very  faithfully  repre- 
sented in  a  synopsis  of  the  argument  and  inferences, — 
prepared,  it  is  supposed,  by  Dr.  Austin, — and  publish- 
ed in  the  Mass.  Miss.  Magazine,  April,  1808. 

"  The  subject  of  the  discourses  is  the  ancient  cove- 
nant of  Jehovah  with  his  church.  A  subject,  so  im- 
portant at  all  times,  in  a  peculiar  manner  calls  the  at- 
tention of  good  men  at  the  present  time. 

*  They  made  a  pamphlet  of  79  full  pages  8vo.,  and  were  each  longer  than 
two  of  his  common  sermons. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  443 

The  text  selected  by  iNIr.  Worcester,  is  Gal.  iii.  29. 
And  if  ije  he  ChrisCs^  then  are  ye  Abraham^ s  seed.)  and 
heirs,  accorditii^  to  the  promise.  After  a  pertinent  in- 
troduction, in  which  the  connection  of  the  text  is  care- 
fully explained  and  elucidated,  this  very  natural  and 
important  doctrine  is  deduced,  viz.  In  God's  cove- 
nant of  promise  with  Abraham,  provision  was  made 
for  the  continuance  of  the  church  formed  by  it,  and 
thus  for  the  transmission  of  the  privileges  and  bles- 
sings contained  in  it,  from  generation  to  generation, 
down  to  the  close  of  time. 

This  doctrine  is  considered  under  two  general 
heads. 

I.  That  the  covenant,  which  was  made  with  Abra- 
ham, and  by  which  the  church  was  formed  in  his  fam- 
ily, was  intended  to  be  perpetual,  or  to  continue 
throughout  all  generations. 

II.  To  show  more  particularly  what  provision  was 
made  in  the  covenant  for  the  continuance  of  the 
church,  and  the  transmission  of  the  blessings  contained 
in  it. 

The  perpetuity  of  God's  gracious  covenant,  its  con- 
tinuance under  successive  dispensations,  through  all 
ages,  is  undoubtedly  a  doctrine  of  the  first  importance. 
On  this  depend  the  blessings  and  privileges,  the  com- 
forts and  hopes  of  the  church.  With  this  truth,  Mr. 
Worcester  seems  deeply  impressed,  and  upon  it  has 
bestowed  most  serious  attention. 

The  argmnents  by  which  he  establishes  his  first 
general  head,  he  has  arranged  under  five  distinct 
topics. 

1.  '  By  the'covenant  made  with  Abraham,  he  was 
constituted  the  father  of  all  them  that  believe.'  If  by 
virtue  of  the  covenant  Abraham  is  the  father  of  all  be- 
lievers in  every  age  and  country,  then  the  covenant 
must  continue  through  every  age. 

2.  '  The  covenant  established  with  Abraham  and 
his  seed,  comprised  all  the  blessings  and  privileges 
ever  promised  to  believers,  and  to  the  church.' 

To  abrogate  this  covenant,  therefore,  would  be  to 
abrogate  the  grand  charter  of  all  the  blessings,  privi- 


444  MEMOIR    OF 

leges  and  hopes  of  God's  people.  To  abolish  the 
church  formed  in  the  house  of  Abraham,  would  be  to 
abolish  the  kingdom  of  the  Messiah. 

3.  '  The  covenant  made  with  Abraham  and  his  seed, 
is  the  covenant  of  which,  in  the  New  Testament, 
Christ  is  said  to  be  the  Mediator,  and  which  is  desig- 
nated as  the  covenant  to  be  established  with  the 
church  in  the  days  of  the  Gospel.'  This  covenant 
with  Abraham  must,  therefore,  be  as  permanent  as  the 
Gospel  church. 

4.  '  The  church  under  the  Gospel,  is  uniformly  in 
the  Scriptures  represented  as  being  the  same  church, 
or  a  continuance  of  the  same,  which  was  formed  in 
the  family  of  Abraham.  As  a  tree  grafted  is  the  same 
as  before ;  the  roots,  the  trunk,  the  tree,  are  the  same  ; 
so  the  church  of  God  is  the  same  under  every  dispen- 
sation.    The  covenant,  therefore,  is  perpetual. 

5.  '  The  covenant  made  with  Abraham  is  expressly 
declared  to  be  an  everlasting  and  perpetual  covenant, 
a  covenant  to  continue  throughout  all  generations.' 
These  arguments  are  handled  at  considerable  length, 
with  a  perspicuity,  a  force,  and  persuasiveness,  not 
common  in  subjects  of  this  nature. 

Under  his  second  general  head,  Mr.  W.  undertakes 
to  show  '  what  was  the  provision  made  in  the  Abra- 
hamic  covenant  for  the  continuance  of  the  church 
fol'med  by  it,  and  the  transmission  of  the  blessings 
contained  in  it.'  This  provision  is  found,  he  supposes, 
in  the  two  grand  promises  variously  expressed  and  at 
different  times  unfolded,  '  I  will  be  a  God  unto  thee 
and  to  thy  seed  after  thee.'  And,  '  in  thy  seed  shall 
all  the  nations  of  the  earth  be  blessed.' 

'  The  promise  or  proposal  of  God  to  Abraham  was, 
to  be  a  God,  not  only  to  him^  but  to  his  seed.  The 
same  was  his  promise  to  Isaac,  the  same  to  Jacob, 
and  so  down  from  generation  to  generation.  In  this 
line  of  natural  descent  were  the  blessins^s  of  the  cove- 
nant  to  be  transmitted.'  Not  that  alh  who  were  chil- 
dren according  to  the  flesh,  were  certainly  heirs  of  all 
covenant  blessings ;  but  the  children  of  the  promise^ 
those  who  should  truly  in  faith  be  given  to  God,  and 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.       ,  445 

brought  up  for  liim,  were  to  be  counted  for  the  seed. 
Grace  sliould  be  given,  so  that  a  holy  seed  should  be 
preserved,  from  generation  to  generation,  in  the  church. 
While  the  promise  of  the  covenant  had  primary  respect 
to  Abraham's  natural  ])ostcrity,  yet  Abraham  was  made 
the  father  of  manij  nations.  *  In  him  and  in  his  seed 
all  the  families  of  the  cartli  should  be  blessed.'  Though 
the  church  was  to  be  continued  in  the  line  of  natural 
descent,  yet  provision  was  made  for  the  adoption,  in- 
corporation, or  ingrafting  of  other  individuals,  fami- 
lies,   and   nations.     Under   the    former    dispensation, 

*  strangers '  of  different  nations  w^ere  admitted  to  the 
privileges  of  Israelites ;  on  the  introduction  of  the 
gospel  dispensation.  Gentile  believers  by  hundreds, 
and  thousands,  and  myriads,  were  admitted  to  the 
same  covenant,  and  became  fellow-heirs,  and  of  the 
same  body,  and  partakers  of  the  same  promise  in 
Christ  by  the  Gospel.'  Guests,  before  invited,  were 
excluded  from  the  society,  and  new  ones  were  admit- 
ted. Old  branches  were  broken  off,  and  new  ones 
grafted  in.  Such  has  been,  such  is  the  church,  and  so 
it  w^ill  continue. 

Such  is  a  brief  view  of  what  Mr.  W.  has  given  as 

*  the  provision  of  the  covenant.' 

In  the  '  Improvement,'  Mr.  Worcester  first  leads  us 

*  to  a  grateful  and  devout  contemplation  of  the  great 
designs,  the  gradual  progress,  and  the  ultimate  exten- 
sion and  glory  of  the  church  of  God.'  He  next  shows 
that  the  gracious  covenant  of  God  is  never  in  reality 
established  with  any  but  true  believers  ;  in  the  third 
place,  he  infers  the  'high  and  everlasting  importance 
of  a  cordial  and  obedient  belief  in  all  which  God  has 
promised '  in  this  covenant. 

Having  thus  prepared  the  way,  Mr.  W.  infers 
fourthly,  'that  for  believing  parents  to.  give  up  their 
children  to  God  in  baptism  is  a  great  and  important 

duty.' 

Under  this  inference  it  is  shown,  that,  as  the  ancient 
covenant  and  church  of  God  were  contiinied  under  the 
present   dispensation,    and    as   baptism   has   now   by 

38 


446  .  MEMOIR    OF 

divine  appointment  taken  the  place  of  circumcision,  it 
therefore  follows,  conclusively,  that  as  children  were 
anciently  admitted  to  the  seal  of  the  covenant  in  the 
form  of  circumcision,  so  they  are  now  to  be  admitted 
to  the  same  seal  in  the  form  of  baptism.  This  infer- 
ence, so  evident  and  conclusive,  Mr.  W.  strengthens 
by  collateral  proofs  from  the  New  Testament,  and  by 
a  historical  view  of  the  practice  in  the  first  ages  of  the 
church.  With  earnestness  and  christian  zeal  he  thus 
enforces  the  duty. 

Next  follows  a  reflection  concerning  the  mode  of 
baptism,  in  which  by  arguments  irresistible  he  shows, 
that  sprinkling  is  valid  and  scriptural. 

In  the  remaining  part  of  the  Improvement,  he 
sti'ongly  enforces  the  serious  duty  of  every  church  re- 
specting their  baptized  children.  He  gives  an  impres- 
sive view  of  God's  infinite  wisdom  and  grace,  mani- 
fested in  his  covenant  with  the  Church,  and  forcibly 
urges  all,  who  are  set  for  the  defence  of  the  Gospel,  to 
maintain  the  spirit  and  principles  of  this  gracious 
covenant." 

The  scriptural  doctrine  of  the  covenant  with  Abra- 
ham, as  illustrated  in  the  first  of  these  Discourses, 
would  seem  to  be  decisive  of  the  whole  matter  in  con- 
troversy.* In  the  second,  all  the  practical  questions 
of  any  importance  are  stated  and  fairly  considered. 
And  they  are  answered,  as  in'efutably,  as  from  the  na- 
ture of  the  subject  and  the  laws  of  moral  evidence,  it 
could  justly  be  expected,  that  any  such  questions 
should  ever  be  answered.  More  recent  investigations 
have  brought  additional  proofs  in  confirmation  of  Dr. 
Worcester's  positions  ;  and  the  idea  of  baptism,  as  an 
emblem  of  purification.,  has  recently  been  so  exhibited, 
as  to  make  "  assurance  doubly  sure,"  with  those  who 

*  There  is  a  similar  view  of  God's  covenant  with  Abraham,  in  an  excel- 
lent Sermon  by  the  late  Rev.  Henry  White,  D.  D.  Prof.  Union  Theol.  Sem. 
New  York.    Am.  National  Preacher,  Nov.  1S46. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  447 

wholly  deny  the  popular  assumptions  and  assertions  of 
Baptists,  respecting  the  meaning  of  baptism  in  the 
New  Testament. 

In  regard  to  the  duty  "of  believing  parents  to  give 
their  children  to  God,  in  baptism,"  the  argument  is 
conducted  with  great  ability.  Baptism  is  shown  to 
have  taken  the  place  of  circumcision.  And  "as  the 
outward  seal  of  the  covenant  was  originally  required 
to  be  administered  to  the  infant  seed;  so,  unless  it  has 
been  expressly  prohibited^  it  is  still  to  be  administered 
to  them."  Such  a  prohibition  is  no  where  to  be  found. 
"  As  there  was  under  the  former  dispensation  an  ex- 
press precept  for  administering  the  seal  of  the  cove- 
nant to  the  infant  seed  of  the  church  ;  that  precept, 
varying  only  as  the  seal  is  varied,  still  remains  in 
force,  unless  it  have  been  expressly  repealed.  It  is  ar- 
rogance, therefore,  to  demand,  for  we  have  no  right  to 
expect,  an  explicit  renewal  of  this  precept  to  be  found 
in  the  New  Testament,  any  more  than  the  precept  for 
the  observance  of  the  Sabbath."  "Whatever  distinc- 
tions were  formerly  made,  we  are  assured  by. the  apos- 
tle, that,  in  respect  to  the  privileges  of  the  covenant, 
there  is  to  be  no  longer  any  distinction  ;  for  in  Christ 
Jesus  there  is  neither  male  nor  female P 

"  It  is  not  incumbent  on  us  to  show,  that  the  pre- 
cept for  administering  the  appointed  seal  of  the  cove- 
nant to  the  infant  seed  of  the  church  has  not  been 
repealed ;  but  it  is  indispensably  incumbent  on  those 
wlio  deny  infant  baptism,  to  show  in  the  clearest 
manner,  that  it  has  been  repealed.  For  a  precept, 
once  in  force,  and  not  limited  to  any  certain  period, 
is  ever  afterwards  to  be  considered  as  in  force,  unless 
known  to  have  been  repealed,  by  the  same  authority 
by  which  it  was  given. 

There  is  not,  however,  in   the   whole  word  of  God, 


448  MEMOIR    OF 

the  least  intimation,  that  this  precept  has  ever  been  re- 
pealed ;  there  is  not  in  the  whole  word  of  God  the 
least  intimation,  that  the  seal  of  the  covenant  is  not, 
under  the  present  dispensation,  as  it  was  under  the 
former,  to  be  applied  to  the  children  of  the  church. 

Neither  the  commission,  given  to  the  apostles.  Go 
and  teach  all  nations^  baptizing  thern^  nor  the  exhorta- 
tion addressed  by  them  to  the  people.  Repent  and  be 
baptized^  comes  near  to  touch  the  point  in  question,' 
Neither  the  one  nor  the  other  goes  to  prove  any  thing 
further,  than  that  those,  who  have  not  received  bap- 
tism, must  not  only  believe,  but  be  baptized,  in  order 
to  a  regular  standing  in  the  visible  church  of  God. 
It  was  precisely  thus  under  the  former  dispensation. 
Those  who  had  never  been  circumcised  Vv^ere  required 
to  be  circumcised,  in  order  to  their  regular  standing  in 
the  church.  But  whenever  parents  who  had  never 
been  circumcised,  were  admitted  to  the  church,  they 
were  not  only  circumcised  themselves,  but  were  after- 
wards required  to  offer  their  children  in  the  same  seal- 
ing ordinance. 

Had  the  seal  of  the  covenant  never  been  altered,  the 
commission,  given  to  the  apostles,  would  have  been,, 
Go  and  teach  all  nations^  circumcising  them  ;  and  their 
exhortation  to  those  who  had  never  received  circum- 
cision, would  have  been.  Repent  and  be  circumcised  ; 
for  the  promise  is  to  you  and  to  your  children.  But 
had  the  case  been  thus,  who  would  ever  have  imagin- 
ed, that  there  w^as  any  thing,  either  in  the  commission, 
or  exhortation,  like  an  intimation  that  children  were 
no  lons^er  to  receive  the  seal  of  the  covenant.  The 
real  case,  however,  is  substantially  the  same.  Those 
who  have  never  received  baptism,  are  required  not 
only  to  believe,  but  also  be  baptized,  in  order  to  their 
regular  standing  in  the  church  ;  but  having  been  regu- 
larly admitted,  they  are  to  offer  their  children  also  in 
baptism,  as  formerly  they  were  required  to  offer  them 
in  circumcision.  P'or  the  promise  is  now  the  same 
that  it  formerly  was,  to  be  a  God  not  only  to  them, 
but  also  to  their  seed  after  them  ;  and  on  the  ground 
of  this  promise,  parents  are  still  requii'ed,  as  formerly 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  449 

they  were,  believinp^ly  to  give  up,  not  only  themselves, 
but  tlieir  children  also,  to  the  Lord."* 

From  the  manner  in  which  Christ  received  and 
blessed  "  little  children,"  from  the  baptism  of  "  whole 
households  "  by  the  apostles  ;  and  from  the  proofs  of 
infant  baptism,  as  "the  universal  practice  of  the 
Church,  in  the  ages  immediately  succeeding  the 
apostles," — in  connexion  with  the  fact,  that,  "  for  more 
than  three  thousand  years,  the  seal  of  the  covenant 
[either  circumcision  or  baptism]  was  universally  ap- 
plied to  the  children  of  the  church,  no  one  forbidding 
it," — the  just  inference  is,  that  the  great  and  important 
duty  of  believers,  to  give  their  children  to  God  in  bap- 
tism, is  not  in  the  least  invalidated,  although  "  during 
the  last  three  hundred  years,  there  have  been  some  in 
the  different  parts  of  Christendom,  who  have  forbidden 
little  children  to  be  brought  to  Christ,  and  denied  the 
application  of  the  seal  of  the  covenant  to  them." 

In  an  extended  note  on  this  part  of  the  second  Dis- 
course, the  Author  adduces  "  testimony "  which  is 
"  impregnable,"  in  regard  to  the  practice  of  "  infant 
baptism." 

*  "  It  is  no  small  infelicity,  attending  the  arguments  of  the  antipedobap- 
tists,  that  they  go  wide  of  the  point,  to  which  they  are  professedly  directed. 
When  they  would  prove  that  the  Abrahamic  covenant  has  ceased,  the  ar- 
guments advanced  only  go  to  show,  that  the  Mosaic  law,  or  Sinai  covenant, 
is  abolished  ;  which  we,  as  well  as  they,  admit  and  believe.  And  when  they 
would  prove,  that  the  infant  seed  of  the  church  ought  not  to  be  baptized, 
the  arguments  adduced  only  go  to  shew,  that  believers,  who  have  never 
received  baptism,  ought  to  be  baptized  ;  which  we,  as  well  as  they,  admit 
and  believe.  But,  as  when  it  is  shown  that  the  Mosaic  law,  or  Sinai  cove- 
nant, is  aboliehed,  nothing  is  done  towards  proving  that  the  Abrahamic 
covenant  has  ceased  ;  so  when  it  is  shown  that  believers,  who  have  never 
received  baptism,  ought  to  be  baptized,  nothing  is  done  towards  proving  that 
the  infant  seed  of  the  church  ought  not  to  be  baptized.  Nothing  more  is 
done,  in  either  case,  towards  proving  the  point  in  question,  than  would  be 
done  towards  proving  that  female  members  of  the  church  are  not  to  be  ad- 
mitted to  the  Lord's  Supper,  should  it  only  be  shown  that  male  meml>ers  are 
to  be  admitted.  Yet  wide  as  these  arguments  go  of  the  points  to  be  proved, 
they  are  urged  and  repeated  with  as  much  assurance,  as  if  they  were  per- 
tinent and  conclusive  ;  and  with  weak,  unstable,  and  uadiscerning  minds, 
they  have  but  too  often  their  intended  eflect." 

38* 


450  MEMOIR    OF 

"  As  there  was  no  dispute  about  baptism  in  the  first 
ages  of  Christianity,  it  should  not  be  expected  that 
much  would  be  found,  particularly  on  the  subject,  in 
the  writings  of  those  ages.  But  because  there  is 
nothing  directly  on  the  subject,  either  for  or  against 
infant  baptism,  in  the  fragments  wiiich  have  come 
down  to  us,  of  the  writings  of  the  first  century,  the 
antipedobaptists,  with  an  assurance  peculiar  to  them- 
selves, have  undertaken  to  assert^  not  to  prove ^  that 
during  the  first  century,  infant  baptism  ivas  not  prac- 
tised in  the  church.  With  equal  propriety  we  might 
assert,  even  had  we  no  proof  to  support  our  assertion, 
that  it  ivas  practised  universally.  But  we  are  not  re- 
duced to  this  extremity.  The  sacred  truth  is,  there  is 
as  much  evidence,  as,  from  the  state  of  the  case,  could 
reasonably  be  expected,  that  during  the  first  century, 
and  for  several  succeeding  ages,  infant  baptism  was 
practised  in  the  church,  universally,  and  without  con- 
tradiction or  question. 

In  the  writings  of  Clemens  Romanus  and  Hermes 
Pastor,  both  contemporaries  with  the  apostles,  and 
both  mentioned  by  Paul,  the  former  in  his  epistle  to 
the  Phillipians,  and  the  latter  in  his  epistle  to  the  Ro- 
mans, passages  are  extant,  which  by  fair  implication 
prove  the  practice  of  infant  baptism  in  their  day. 
Justin  INIartyr  and  Irenaeus,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  within  three  or  four  years  after  the  death  of  the 
apostle  John,  and  the  latter  of  whom  was  the  disciple 
of  Polycarp,  the  bishop  or  angel  of  the  church  of 
Smyrna,  to  whom  John,  in  the  Revelation,  addressed 
his  epistle,  are  more  particular  and  clear,  to  the  same 
purpose.  Tertullian,  who  was  about  eleven  years  old 
when  Polycarp  died,  and  was  many  years  contempo- 
rary with  L'enaeus  ;  and  Origen,  who  was  contempo- 
rary with  Tertullian,  are  direct  and  explicit  on  the 
subject.  Speaking  of  the  moral  pollution  of  infants, 
Origen  says,  '  What  is  the  reason,  that,  whereas  the 
baptism  of  the  church  is  given  for  forgiveness,  infants 
also,  by  the  usage  of  the  church,  are  baptized;  when 
if  there  were  nothing  in  infants,  which  wanted  for- 
giveness or  mercy,  baptism  would  be  needless  to  them.' 


SAMUEL    "WORCESTER.  4-51 

Cyprian,  bishop  of  Carthage,  who  suffered  martyrdom 
for  the  Christian  faith,  only  about  five  years  after  the 
death  of  Origen,  was  president  of  a  council,  which, 
consisted  of  sixty -six  bishops,  or  pastors  of  churches, 
and  which  delivered  an  unanimous  opinion,  '  that  the 
baptism  of  infants  was  not  to  be  deferred,'  as  some 
supposed  it  should  be,  '  to  the  eighth  day,  but  might 
be  given  to  them  any  time  before.'  Gregory  Nazian- 
zen,  Basil,  Ambrose,  Chrysostom,  and  Jerome,  all  of 
whom  flourished  within  about  a  hundred  years  of 
Origen  and  Cyprian,  are  all  explicit  on  the  subject; 
explain  the  design  of  infant  baptism,  mention  it  as 
coming  in  the  place  of  circumcision,  and  speak  of  it 
as  the  universal  and  undisputed  practice  of  the  church. 

Austin,  who  was  contemporary  with  some  of  these 
last,  and  who  flourished  only  about  two  hundred  and 
eighty  years  after  the  apostles,  in  a  controversy  with 
Pelagius,  alleged  the  practice  of  infant  baptism,  in 
proof  of  the  doctrine  of  original  sin.  '  Why  are  in- 
fants,' says  he,  '  baptized  for  the  remission  of  sin,  if 
they  have  none?  Infant  baptism  the  ivhoJe  diurch 
practices  ;  it  was  not  instituted  by  councils,  but  was 
EVER  IN  USE.'  Pelagius,  whose  interest  it  was  to  set 
this  argument  aside,  was  so  far  from  denying  the  al- 
leged fact,  that,  in  reply  to  the  suggestion  of  some 
that  by  denying  original  sin,  he  denied  the  right  of 
infants  to  baptism,  he  utterly  discards  the  idea,  and 
affirms,  '  that  he  never  heard  of  any,  not  even  the  most 
impious  heretic,  who  denied  baptism  to  infants.'  This 
testimony  is  impregnable.  Pelagius  was  a  man  of  great 
reading,  and  had  travelled  extensively.  He  was  born  in 
Britain,  resided  some  time  at  Rome,  and  made  the  tour 
of  the  Christianized  parts  of  Africa  and  Asia,  by  the 
way  of  Egypt  and  Jerusalem.  Yet  in  the  whole  of  his 
reading  and  of  his  travels,  he  never  read  or  heard  of  any, 
who  denied  the  divine  institution  of  infant  baptism.' 

From  this  period,  the  matter  is  clear  beyond  dispute. 
Dr.  Gill,  himself,  one  of  the  most  learned  of  the  anti- 
pedobaptist  writers,  acknowledges  that  'infant  bap- 
tism was  the  practice  of  the  church,  universally,  from 
the  third  to  the  eleventh  century.' 


452  MEMOIR    OF 

*  For  the  first  four  hundred  years,'  says  Dr. 
Wall,  in  his  History  of  infant  Baptism,  '  there  appears 
only  one  man,  Tertullian,  that  advised  the  delay  of 
infant  baptism,  in  some  cases ;  and  one  Gregory,  who 
did  perhaps  practice  such  delay,  in  the  case  of  his  own 
children  ;  but  no  society,  so  thinking  or  so  practising, 
nor  one  man  so  saying,  that  it  was  unlawful  to  bap- 
tize infants.  In  the  next  seven  hundred  years,  there 
is  not  so  much  as  one  man  to  be  found,  that  either 
spoke  or  practised  such  delay,  but  all  the  contrary. 
And  when  about  the  year  eleven  hundred  and  thirty, 
one  sect  among  the  Waldenses  declared  against  the 
baptizing  of  infants,  as  being  incapable  of  salvation  ; 
the  main  body  of  that  people  rejected  their  opinion. 
And  the  sect  that  still  held  to  it^  quickly  diuindled  away 
and  disappeared.  And  there  was  nothing-  more  heard 
of  holding-  that  tenet,  till  the  year  fifteen  hundred 
and  twenty-two.'  In  confirmation  of  this  statement 
it  may  be  proper  to  observe,  that  Mr.  Whiston,  a  man 
eminent  in  literature,  who  for  certain  reasons  left  the 
communion  of  the  established  church  of  England,  and 
went  over  to  the  antipaedobaptists,  frankly  declares, 
that  Dr.  Wall's  History  of  Infant  Baptism,  as  to  the 
facts,  appeared  to  him  most  accurately  done,  and  might 
be  depended  upon  by  the  Baptists  themselves. 

The  unprejudiced  reader  will  now  judge  with  how 
much  candor  and  truth,  an  attempt  has  been  made  in 
some  late  publications,  to  make  the  milearned  and  un- 
stable believe,  that  the  practice  of  infant  baptism  had 
its  rise  in  the  dark  ages,  under  the  influence  of  popery. 
To  give  countenance  to  this  attempt,  some  passages 
have  been  quoted  from  Walafrid  Strabo,  in  which  he 
has  represented  the  doctrine  of  original  sin,  and  the 
doctrine  of  infant  baptism,  as  having  their  origin  about 
the  time  of  St.  Austin.  But  the  representations  of 
Strabo,  a  man  of  but  little  reading,  but  of  great  affec- 
tation to  say  something  new,  who  wrote,  about  the 
middle  of  the  eighth  century,  in  the  very  midst  of  the 
Gothic  darkness,  as  they  go  directly  in  the  face  of  the 
primitive  fathers  of  the  church,  are  surely  entitled  to 
very  little  regard. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  4'33 

As  to  the  assertion  in  '  A  IMiiiiatnre  History  of  the 
Baptists,'  that  'the  Waldenses,  Wickliflites,  and  Huss- 
ites were  Baptists,'  it  may  sullice  to  say,  there  is  suf- 
ficient evidence  that  it  has  no  foundation  in  truth. 
The  sentiments  holden  by  them  with  respect  to  the 
church,  as  stated  by  Dr.  IMoslieim,  are  also  liolden  by 
many  of  the  pcdobuplist  churches  of  the  present  day. 
And  the  same  reasoning,  if  reasoning  it  must  be  calhnl, 
by  which  it  was  supposed  to  be  ])roved,  that  the  Wal- 
denses, Wickliilites,  Hussites,  and  other  witnesses  for 
the  truth  in  the  dark  ages,  were  antipedobaptists, 
would  equally  prove  that  the  Tabernacle  Church  are 
antipedobaptists.  This  the  writer  of  "  A  Miniature 
History  '  has  himself  been  brought  to  acknowledge." 

After  what  had  been  shown,  relative  to  the  mode  of 
baptism,  the  preacher  might  well  be  allowed  to  say, 
that  "  the  fair  and  invincible  conclusion  is,  that  sprink- 
ling or  affusion  is  Scriptural  and  valid."  "  We  have 
no  evidence  in  the  Scriptures,  that,  in  the  days  of 
Christ  and  his  apostles,  any  person  was  baptized,  by 
dipping  or  immersion." 

With  some  remarks  upon  the  word  haptizo^  which 
of  itself  "  determines  nothing,  in  respect  to  the  particu- 
lar mode,  in  which  water  is  to  be  applied  in  baptism ;  " 
with  remarks  also  upon  "  going  down  into  the  water 
and  coming  up  out  of  the  water,"  in  which  expressions 
"  the  original  particles  are  as  properly,  and  much  more 
commonly  rendered  to  and  from^^  "  I  think  it  will  ap- 
pear," he  says,  "  upon  a  candid  and  attentive  consider- 
ation of  the  several  accounts  of  baptisms,  recorded  in 
the  Scriptures,  that  those  baptisms  were  performed  in 
the  most  easy  and  convenient  modey  * 

*  On  the  meaning-  of  the  word  baptizo,  see  the  invaluable  Lexicon  of  Dr. 
Kobinson,  ed.  1&50.  See  also  Articles  of  Prof.  Stuart,  E.  Beeclier,  D.  D., 
&c.,  Am.  Bib.  Repository. — In  a  note  by  Dr.  W.,  a  reference  is  made  tom- 
7nersions  in  early  times,  of  persons  naked^  &c.,  to  trine  immersions,  &c.     It 


454  MEMOIR    OF 

"  To  accommodate  the  people,  who  flocked  by  hun- 
dreds and  by  thousands  to  his  baptism,  which,  how- 
ever, was  not  the  Christian  baptism,  John  chose  for  the 
scene  of  his  ministry,  a  situation  at  Enon,  and  another 
by  the  river  Jordan,  where  the  multitude  and  their  beasts 
might  find  water  for  their  refreshment ;  and,  when  as- 
sembled upon  the  banks  of  the  Jordan,  the  most  con-. 
venient  way  would  be  for  them  to  go  down  to  the 
brink  of  the  water,  and  there  be  baptized  by  affusion 
or  sprinkling.  But  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  when 
three  thousand  were  baptized  in  a  very  short  time, 
they  were  at  the  temple,  in  the  midst  of  Jerusalem  ; 
where  the  most  convenient,  if  not  the  only  way  would 
be,  to  have  water  brought  in  a  basin,  or  some  other 
vessel,  and  baptize  them  in  the  same  mode.  As  Philip^ 
and  the  Eunuch  were  travelling  on  the  road  from  Jeru- 
salem to  Gaza,  where,  as  travellers  assure  us,  there 
was  no  river,  or  body  of  water,  sufficient  for  the  pur- 
pose of  immersion  ;  the  way  most  convenient  for  them 
was  to  alight  from  the  chariot,  and  step  down  to  the 
small  rivulet  which  presented,  and  there  solemnize  the 
ordinance.  But  as  Paul  was  at  the  house  of  Judas,  in 
Damascus,  and  as  Cornelius  and  the  jailor,  were  at 
home  ;  the  most  convenient  way  for  them,  and  indeed, 
the  only  way  for  Paul  and  the  jailor,  was,  to  have 
water  brought,  and  to  be  baptized  in  their  respective 
houses. 

In  no  single  instance,  is  there  the  least  intimation 
of  leaving  the  place  of  worship,  wherever  it  might  be, 
and  going  away  to  a  river,  or  a  pond,  for  the  purpose 
of  baptism  ;  and,  therefore,  for  such  a  practice  there  is 
no  Scripture  warrant. 

The  two  passages  of  the  apostle,  in  which  the  term 
buried,  is  used  in  connection  with  the  term  baptism^ 
determine  nothing,    as    I   have    heretofore    shown  at 

is  asked, — "  How  can  the  anabaptists  be  sure,  that  their  manner  of  baptizing 
is  scriptural  and  valid?  Why  do  they  not  baptize  in  the  manner  of  those 
•who  baptized  by  immersion  in  former  times  ?  "  *  *  "  But  is  it  not  a  cross  to 
go  into  the  water?  A  serious  question.  But  in  reply,  with  the  mo:>t  per- 
fect candor  we  ask,  was  it  a  cross  to  the  J'ldaizing  Christians  to  be  circum- 
cised ?  Is  it  a  cross  in  the  Christian  sense,  to  do  anything,  which  will  help 
to  make  a  fair  sltow  intJieJiesh^ — Gal.  vi :  12." 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  455 

largo,*  and  as  has  often  been  shown,  in  respect  to  the 
mode  of  baptism.  They  oiler  no  more  reason  why,  at 
the  time  of  our  baptism,  we  should  be  burled^  than 
why  we  Should  be  j/hin/cd,  and  circumcised^  and  cruci- 
fied. Tliey  deseribe  the  effects  of  the  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  but  have  no  respect  to  the  mode  of  the 
external  ordinance. 

As  baptism  is  not  designed  to  commemorate  the 
death  of  Christ,  which  is  the  special  design  of  the  holy 
supper;  but  to  represent  the  application  of  his  blood 
for  our  justification,  or  the  renovation  of  the  heart,  by 
the  gracious  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  is  it  not 
plain,  that  sprinkling  is  a  mode,  much  more  properly 
significant,  than  dipping?  In  reference  to  the  appli- 
cation of  the  blood  of  Christ,  we  never  read  of  dipping, 
or  immersing  ;  but  constantly  of  sprinkling  or  pour- 
ing. Ye  are  covie  to  the  blood  of  sprinkling.  A7id 
SPRINKLING  of  the  blood  of  Christ.  I  ivill  pour  out  my 
Spirit  upon  allfiesh.  I icill  sprinkle  clean  ivater  vpon 
you^  and  ye  shcdl  be  clean.  So  shall  he  (Christ)  sprin- 
kle, not  dip,  many  nations.  Such  are  the  uniform  re- 
presentations of  Scripture. 

And,  my  brethren,  is  it  not  more  congenial  with  the 
simplicity  of  the  Gospel,  is  it  not  more  compatible 
with  every  idea  of  propriety  and  decency,  is  it  not 
more  conducive  to  religious  order  and  solemnity,  to 
perform  the  sacred  rite  of  baptism  in  the  house  of  God, 
where  he  has  appointed  in  a  more  special  manner  to 
meet  his  church,  and  where  the  most  solemn  rites  of 
his  worship  are  performed;  than  to  leave  these  hal- 
lowed courts,  and  this  impressive  scene  of  silent  so- 
lemnity and  devotion,  and  with  great  inconvenience, 
great  parade,  and  perhaps,  great  tumult,  go  abroad  for 
the  administration  of  the  ordinance,  to  a  river  or  pond?" 

*  "  See  Mass.  Miss.  Magazine,  Vol.  II,  No.  8,  p.  315."  The  reference 
here  is  to  an  exposition  of  Rom.  vi :  3,  4,  and  an  exposure  of  the  fallacy  of 
the  argument  of  Baptists,  from  the  words,  "  buried  with  liim  by  baptism  iyito 
deathP  It  is  noticeable,  that  the  article  was  published,  the  very  month  in  which 
the  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Salem  was  ordained  in  tlie  Taber- 
nacle.—  In  the  same  volume  may  be  found  answers  to  questions  of  church 
order,  under  Dr.  W.'s  signature  of  Silvauus. 


456  MEMOIR    OF 

These  Discourses  produced  a  gi'cat  sensation.  They 
were  lauded  in  the  sti'ongest  terms,  by  those  who  re- 
ceived the  doctrine  of  the  author,  as  the  truth  of  God. 
They  were  regarded  as  perfectly  conclusive,  upon  ev- 
ery point  involved  in  the  main  issue.  And  it  is  the 
opinion  of  many  competent  judges,  that  there  has  not 
since  been  published  any  treatise  on  the  subject,  which 
in  the  same  space  embodies  so  much,  and  on  the 
whole  is  so  well  calculated  to  satisfy  reasonable  and 
candid  minds,  in  all  classes  of  the  community. 

But  there  were  those  who  felt  very  differently,  both 
as  respects  the  merits  of  the  discourses  and  the  inten- 
tions of  the  preacher.  Many  in  the  Baptist  denomina- 
tion could  not  be  persuaded,  that  his  exposition  and 
defence  of  the  Abrahamic  Covenant,  in  such  point- 
blank  opposition  to  their  sentiments,  had  been  prompt- 
ed by  his  desire  of  instructing  his  own  people,  and 
fortifying  them  against  errors  to  which  they  were  then 
peculiarly  exposed.  They  could  not  have  understood 
his  feelings,  as  a  Christian  parent,  as  well  as  a  pastor 
and  a  watchman,  to  whom  the  doctrine  for  which  he 
contended,  was  one  of  the  most  precious  to  his  per- 
sonal hopes,  in  public  and  private  life. 

There  had  been,  during  about  twenty  years  previous, 
quite  a  number  of  Controversial  Sermons,  or  treatises, 
on  the  subject  of  Baptism.  But  until  these  discourses  by 
Dr.  Worcester,  nothing  appears  to  have  so  aroused  the 
leading  advocates  of  "  immersion  "  as  the  only  bap- 
tism,— warranted  only  upon  a  profession  of  Christian 
experience, — and  of  Baptist  Churches,  as  being  the 
only  regular  Churches  of  Christ,  according  to  the  New 
Testament.  While  an  edition  of  a  thousand  copies 
was  rapidly  passing  off,  it  was  rumored,  that  more  than 
one    stringent  review  was  in  preparation.     Remarks 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  4'57 

were  not  nncommon,  as  if  1lio  pastor  of  tlic  Taberna- 
cle iniiT^lit  better  have  been  asleep,  than  to  have  ex- 
posed himself  to  the  castigalion  and  the  mortification 
in  store  for  him. 

In  a  letter  to  his  brother  Leonard,  Oct.  13,  1806,  he 
says  : — "  My  sermons  are  now  all  gone,  and  have  been 
gone  for  six  months.  Not  less  than  two  or  three  hun- 
dred have  been  called  for,  since  I  had  not  one  to  spare. 
I  propose  to  reprint;  and  have  only  been  w^aiting  to 
see  what  M******,  or  Dr.  Baldwin,  or  both  would  have 
to  say,  as  I  have  been  informed,  that  both  were 
about  to  say  something.  But  I  shall  not  wait  for 
them  much  longer ;  but  commit  the  sermons  to  press 
very  soon,  and  when  they  are  out,  will  send  you  some, 
unless  you  forbid  me." 

To  his  brother,  at  Hollis,  he  wrote,  Dec.  29th  : — 
"  Dr.  Baldiviti^s  Book  is  out.  He  has  honored  me 
with  a  large  share  of  his  notice,  which  will  require 
from  me  a  grateful  return.  My  obligations  to  him,  I 
hope  soon  to  discharge." 

Early  in  1807,  as  is  evident  from  his  daily  memoran' 
da,  he  had  begun  a  Series  of  "  Letters  to  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Baldwin,  D.  D.,  of  Boston,  on  his  Book,  en- 
titled the  Baptism  of  Believers  only,  and  the  Particu- 
lar Communion  of  the  Baptist  Churches,  explained 
and  vindicated."  His  health  now  required  so  much 
of  his  care,  that  the  plan  of  "  Letters  "  was  very  wise- 
ly adopted.  He  could  w^rite  them,  from  time  to  time, 
and  the  pleasant  freedom  of  the  epistolary  style,  while 
alleviating  the  labor  of  composition,  w^as  better  fitted 
to  interest  and  profit  the  majority  of  readers.  There  is 
in  each  of  the  "  Twenty-Four,"  an  apparent  conscious- 
ness of  entire  mastery  of  the  subject ;  and  an  air  of 
ease  and  unconcern,  w^ith  perfect  self-control  and  good 

39 


458  MEMOIR    OF 

humor  ; — albeit  there  are  somewhat  frequent  passages, 
which  not  very  obscurely,  or  vagueJy,  express  "  the 
faithful  severity  of  truth,"  and  admonish  his  assailants, 
that  a  more  "  prudent  husbandry  "  of  their  "  resources  " 
would  have  been  wise. 

His  labors,  for  three  years,  had  been  too  exciting  and 
arduous.  His  friends  took  alarm.  Before  he  had  fin- 
ished his  reply  to  Dr.  Baldwin,  the  bronchitis  had  over- 
powered his  voice,  and  he  was  compelled  to  intermit 
his  labors,  much  oftener  than  was  agreeable.  At  last, 
leaving  all  behind,  that  he  well  could,  he  sought  respite 
and  relief  in  a  Southern  tour.  He  now  formed  the  per- 
sonal acquaintance  of  Pres.  D wight,  and  other  distin- 
tinguished  men,  south  of  Massachusetts,  with  whom 
he  afterwards  interchanged  hospitalities,  and  was  asso- 
ciated in  important  public  operations.  In  his  letters 
to  his  family,  he  speaks  of  the  situations  and  scenes 
through  which  he  was  passing,  as  if  freely  yielding 
himself  to  the  impressions  of  novelty  and  high  gratifi- 
cation, and  as  if  describing  them  at  his  own  fire-side, 
when  walking  the  floor,  with  his  youngest  child  in  his 
arms.  Little  did  he  know  what  he  was  afterwards  to 
enjoy,  in  the  society  of  "  a  Mr.  Evarts,  an  excellent 
young  gentleman  I " 

In  his  first  letter,  he  speaks  of  "  attempting  to  make 
one  prayer  at  the  Communion-table,"  in  Providence. 
"  But  I  spoke  with  so  much  difl^iculty,  as  to  be  painful 
to  those  who  heard  me,  and  distressing  to  myself." 

Mrs.   Zervia   Worcester. 
^'-New  York^  Saturday  710011,  June  13,  1807. 

My  dear  Zervia, — 

From  my  arrival  at  New  Haven,  until  nine  o'clock 
on  Thursday  evening,  I  passed   my  time   there   with 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  459 

groat  satisfaction.  My  lodc^iri^s  were  at  O^den's  Cof- 
fee Ilonso,  l)ut  I  kept  tlien;  but  little.  Dr.  Dwight,  to 
whom  I  had  letters  of  introduction,  received  me  with 
great  cordiality,  and  showed  me  much  politeness.  Be- 
sides giving  me  his  couipanyand  conversation  for  two 
or  three  hours,  and  inviting  mc^  to  tea,  he  introduced 
me  to  the  Professors  of  the  University,  and  along  with 
them  showed  the  college  buildings,  library,  philosophi- 
cal apparatus,  chemical  laboratory,  &c.,  with  which, 
and  the  accompanying,  I  was  highly  entertained.  I 
found  also  a  good  Mr.  Austin,  brother  of  Mr.  Austin 
of  jj Worcester,  who  abounded  with  kindness ;  and  a 
Mr.  Evarts,  an  excellent  young  gentleman,  now  an  at- 
torney at  law,  with  whom  I  formed  a  very  pleasing  ac- 
quaintance, three  years  ago,  at  Peacham,  where  he 
then  resided,  as  Preceptor  of  the  Academy  in  that 
place,  and  boarded  in  my  brother's  family.  In  com- 
pany with  Mr.  Evarts,  I  viewed  the  city,  and  rode  about 
two  miles  out  to  a  gun  factory,  which  Dr.  Dwight  re- 
commended to  me  to  see,  and  in  viewing  which  I  was 
gratified  with  a  most  admirable  display  of  mechanical 
ingenuity. 

New  Haven  is  very  pleasantly  situated  at  the  head 
of  a  bay,  which  opens  into  Long  Island  Sound.  The 
site  of  the  city  is  sufficiently  level,  rising  however,  by  a 
very  gentle  ascent  from  the  water.  It  is  laid  out  into  reg- 
ular squares  ;  the  streets  straight  and  wide,  and  almost 
all  of  them  ornamented  with  rows  of  trees  ;  the  houses, 
though  mostly  but  two  stories,  are  neat,  and  some  of 
them  elegant;  and  the  public  buildings,  the  colleges, 
court-house,  and  churches  well  situated  and  handsome. 
The  new  burying-ground,  a  description  of  which  I 
hope  to  have  opportunity  to  give  you  with  living  voice, 
exceeds  anything  of  the  kind,  probably,  in  the  world. 
New  Haven,  in  fine,  take  it  all  in  all,  is  a  beautiful  lit- 
tle city.  With  the  character  and  manners  of  the  peo- 
ple, I  have  yet  had  opportunity  to  become  but  little 
acquainted  ;  but  so  far  as  I  could  observe,  I  was  agree- 
ably impressed.  In  the  city,  there  are  two  Congrega- 
tional societies,  one  Episcopal  and  one  Methodist 
society.     No  special  attention  to  religion  is  manifest- 


460  MEMOIR    OF 

ed  either  at  New  Haven,  or  any  place  in  my  route, 
excepting  New  London,  where  there  have  been  lately 
from  twenty  to  thirty  added  to  the  church,  within  a 
short  time  past,  and  several  are  at  present  under  very 
solemn  impressions. 

At  nine  o'clock  on  Thursday  evening,  I  embarked 
on  board  the  Cornelia  packet  for  this  port ;  but  the 
tide  would  not  admit  of  leavins:  the  harbor  until  about 
eleven  ;  and  then  the  wind,  during  the  rest  of  the  night 
and  the  forenoon  of  Friday,  was  so  light  and  unfavor- 
able, that  we  made  head  but  very  slowly.  About  noon, 
the  wind  became  more  fresh  and  fair,  and  we  came  on 
within  about  nine  miles  of  this  city,  by  nine  o'clock 
last  evening ;  but  as  it  was  not  then  safe  to  pass  the 
celebrated  narrows,  called  Hell  Gate^  anchor  was  cast, 
and  we  slept  again  on  board.  At  six  o'clock  this 
morning,  we  landed  in  this  city. 

I  had  here  no  acquaintances,  excepting  Captain 
Clough,  and  a  Mi*.  Dodge,  who  has  repeatedly  attend- 
ed our  meeting  at  Salem.  The  captain  is  very  oblig- 
ing, but  much  engaged  in  preparing  for  sea.  Mr. 
Dodge,  who  is  a  very  respectable  merchant,  a  most 
amiable  man,  and  a  warm-hearted  Christian,  and  on 
very  intimate  terms  with  some  of  the  first  ministers  of 
the  city,  is  all  cordiality  and  attention.  Of  the  clergy- 
men, I  have  yet  seen  only  Dr.  Miller,  and  I  propose  to 
form  an  acquaintance  with  them  as  far  as  my  stay 
here  will  permit.  How  long  I  shall  stay  here  is  some- 
what uncertain,  but  probably  not  more  than  four  or 
five  days.  On  the  passage,  I  was  not  at  all  sea-sick, 
but  by  the  sudden  change  of  the  weather  I  took  some 
cold,  and  the  cold  easterly  winds  affected  my  lungs  con- 
siderably ;  I  yet  hope,  however,  that  my  tour  will  ulti- 
mately prove  beneficial ;  but  the  Lord  will  order  all 
things  well.  With  complaints  similar  to  mine,  many 
ministers  are  at  present  aillictcd;  not  less  than  ten  or 
twelve  instances  have  come  to  my  knowledge,  since  I 
left  Salem.  The  cry  this  way  is,  '  What  is  to  become 
of  the  ministers  ?  Are  they  all  to  lose  their  voices  ?' 
But  he  who  walks  in  the  midst  of  the  golden  candle- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  461 

sticks,  and   holds  the  stars  in   his  right   hand,  knows 
best  what  to  do  with  thein  I 

At  present,  I  can  only  add  my  most  artbctionate  re- 
membrances of  Salem,  ofVer  my  most  fervent  prayers 
for  my  family  and  my  people,  and  subscribe  myself, 

Yours,  witli  great  tenderness, 

Samuel  Worcestek.'* 

Returning  home,  he  entered  with  great  zest  into  the 
plans  of  the  Rev.  Gideon  Blackburn,  D.  D.,  of  Ten- 
nessee, who  visited  him  in  reference  to  his  schools 
among  the  Cherokees,  and  of  whom  more  is  hereafter 
to  be  said.  In  a  letter  to  his  brother,  at  HoUis,  on  the 
9th  of  July,  he  remarks :  "  INIy  health  is  yet  so  feeble, 
that  I  can  write  but  little.  How  it  will  turn  with  me, 
in  the  season  of  dog  days,  is  quite  uncertain.  I  am 
not  without  my  concern  :  but  my  times  are  in  God's 
hands,  and  my  prayer  is,  that  I  may  be  prepared  for 
his  will." 

His  heart  learned  new  lessons  of  life,  by  the  trying 
experience  of  his  bodily  infirmities ;  and  the  anxieties 
and  afflictions  occasioned  by  sickness  and  death,  in 
the  circle  of  near  relatives. 

Mrs.  Zervia  Worcester. 

"  HoIIis,  Aug-.  3,  1807. 
My  dear  Zervia, — 

Every  day's  experience  is  calculated  to  teach  us,  that 
our  present  state  is  a  vale  of  tears.  As  we  pass  along 
in  life,  afflictions  multiply  upon  us;  and  as  we  know 
not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth,  so  we  often  meet  with 
unexpected  strokes.  Our  solicitude  has  of  late  been 
so  much  awake  for  our  brother,  in  his  severe  sickness, 
that  we  have  hardly,  perhaps,  thought,  that  any  of  the 
rest  of  our  friends  were  in  danger.  But  alas!  how 
little  do  we  at  any  time  know,  who  of  our  friendis  is 
first  to  be  taken  from  us.   On  my  arrival  here  on  Thurs- 

39* 


462  MEMOIR    OP 

day  evening,  I  found  Deacon  Conant*  to  be  very  un- 
well. *****  On  Saturday  morning  he  took  medicine, 
which  operated  very  freely,  and  nothing  more  unfavor- 
able appeared  in  his  case,  until  about  two  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon.  At  that  time  he  was  taken  in  great  dis- 
tress. *  *  *  He  breathed  with  great  difficulty,  and  lay  in 
a  cold  and  death-like  sweat,  until  about  two  o'clock 
next  morning,  ivhen  he  expired^  and.,  as  vje  would  hope., 
breathed  out  his  soid  into  the  bosom  of  the  Savior. 

*  *  *  O  that  these  trials  may  be  sanctified  to  us  all  I 
The  Lord  is  wise  and  good,  and  all  his  judgments  are 
right.  Our  brother  is  at  present  in  a  very  favorable 
and  hopeful  way.  Jesse  has  just  arrived,  and  I  am 
concerned  to  hear  bv  him,  that  you  were  more  unwell, 
when  he  came  away,  than  you  were  the  morning  I  left 
home.  I  wish  to  stay  with  our  bereaved  friends  here, 
a  day  or  two  longer,  but,  if  Providence  permit,  shall 
return  to  Salem  in  the  course  of  this  week.  My  love 
to  the  children,  and  all  friends.  Poor  Samuel  will 
mourn  the  loss  of  his  grand-pa'  Conant ! 

Most  affectionately.  Yours, 

Samuel  Worcester." 

Sept.  8th,  he  made  a  minute  of  his  letters  to  Dr. 
Baldwin,  as  "  completed/'f 

In  the  article  of  the  Mass.  Miss.  Magazine,  from 
which  citations  have  already  been  made,  is  a  synopsis 
of  the  "  Letters,"  in  the  same  manner  as  that  of  the 
''  Discourses." 

*'  After  the  first  publication  of  Mr.  Worcester's  ser- 
mons. Dr.  Baldwin  published  a  book  in  which  he  was 
pretty  free  with  his  remarks  on  INIr.  Worcester's  ser- 
mons. This  led  Mr.  W.  to  reply  in  a  number  of  Let- 
ters. The  most  material  things  which  have  the  name 
or  semblance  of  argument  in  the  Dr.'s  book,  Mr.  W. 
has   arranged  under  their  proper  heads  ;    he  has  ex- 

*  Falher-in-law  of  Mrs.  W.,  and  very  fond  of  her  children. 

t  They  were  issued  separately,  Svo.  pp.  154,  and  also  in  a  volume  with 
a  revised  edition  of  the  Discourses. 


f« 


SAMUEL    AVORCESTER.  463 

aminod  them  with  patience,  and  confuted  them  by 
sound  arguments.  By  this  he  has  also  strengthened, 
and  if  possible  more  completely  established  the  doctrine 
of  his  two  discourses. 

In  his  strictures  upon  the  two  discourses,  Dr.  B. 
attempts  to  set  up  a  distinction  between  a  covenant 
supposed  to  be  made  with  Abraham,  '  when  he  was 
called  to  leave  his  country  and  kindred,  to  go  and  so- 
journ in  a  strange  land,'  and  what  he  chooses  to  call 
'  the  covenant  of  circumcision.'  He  fuUv  admits  that 
the  great  promise  made  to  Abraham  at  the  time  of  his 
call  was  the  gospel,  as  then  preached,  and  comprised 
the  Messiah  and  all  the  blessings  of  liis  kingdom  ;  but 
he  denies,  that  that  promise  was  comprised  in  the 
covenant  afterwards  made  with  Abraham  and  his 
seed,  and  sealed  with  the  sign  of  circumcision.  "Hence 
he  concludes,  that  Mr.  W.  had  totally  mistaken  the 
promise  contained  in  his  text,  that  his  text  does  not 
support  his  doctrine,  and  that  his  discourses  are  with- 
out foundation.  He  might  as  well  have  said,  that,  be- 
cause the  top  of  the  spire  is  not  gold^  therefore  the 
foundation  of  the  temple  is  sand.  It  shows  that  a  man 
is  not  a  good  composer  of  sermons,  if  his  text  does  not 
contain  his  doctrine;  but  it  does  not  prove  the  doc- 
trine may  not  be  true:  but  even  this  ground  on  which 
Dr.  Baldwin  erects  his  citadel  is  found  untenable.  Mr. 
Worcester  fairly  secures  his  text,  shows  there  is  no 
such  distinction  of  covenants,  but  that  all  the  gracious 
promises  made  to  Abraham  were  included  in  the 
covenant,  established  with  him  and  his  seed,  when  he 
received  the  sign  of  circumcision.  Mr.  W.  has  done 
this  by  again  considering  the  connection  of  the  text ; 
by  a  luminous  recurrence  to  the  first  promise  of  grace 
in  Paradise,  supposed  to  be  for  substance  the  same 
with  the  great  promise  made  to  Abraham,  and  the  sure 
foundation  of  the  church  ;  by  a  solemn  and  impressive 
review  of  God's  covenant  transactions  with  Abraham; 
by  a  close  and  particular  survey  of  the  covenant  itself, 
comparing  it  with  many  important  passages  in  the 
Old  and  New  Testament,  and  by  a  victorious  exposure 
of  the  anti-pedobaptist  construction  of  the  one  seed, 


464  MEMOIR    OP 

which  is  Christ.  These,  in  their  order,  make  the  sub- 
jects of  his  '  Letters,'  from  the  second  to  the  seventh, 
inclusive." 

After  describing  the  course  of  argument  in  the  suc- 
ceeding letters,  in  which  it  is  "  shown,  that,  according 
to  Dr.  B.'s  own  concession  the  anti-pedobaptist  theory 
must  fall ;"  that  "  the  idea  of  two  churches,  a  Hebrew 
and  Christian,  is  absurd,  and  highly  injurious  to  the 
honor  of  religion  and  the  cause  of  God  ;"  "  that  chil- 
dren now  hold  the  same  covenant  relation  to  the 
church,  which  they  anciently  held,"  &c.;  it  is  further 
said: 

"  The  23d  letter  repels  the  charges  of  Dr.  B.  in  a 
manly  and  dispassionate  style,  which,  if  arguments  or 
facts  could  avail,  we  should  think,  would  go  far  to- 
wai'ds  making  the  Doctor  repent  that  he  is  an  author. 
The  last  letter,  which  considers  the  high  claims  and 
pretensions  of  the  Baptists,  is  a  series  of  pathetic  ex- 
postulations, in  a  strain  of  impressive  eloquence. — Con- 
cerning the  manner  in  which  Mr.  Worcester  has  ex- 
ecuted his  work,  we  have  little  to  add.  His  style  is 
correct,  perspicuous,  forcible,  and  harmonious.  The 
spirit  of  the  w^ork  is  serious.  He  never  wanders  from 
his  subject,  is  never  dull ;  but  often  is  animated,  and 
like  a  mighty  wind  bears  down  all  before  him.  A 
tender  concern  for  divine  truth,  and  deep  solicitude  for 
the  welfare  of  true  religion,  is  manifested  through  the 
whole  work,  which  must  recommend  it  to  every  candid 
reader." 

The  writer  of  this  notice  was  more  careful  of  terms 
of  commendation,  than  he  probably  would  have  been, 
if  the  author  of  the  Discourses  and  Letters  had  not 
been  known  to  be  one  of  the  associated  editors  of  the 
Magazine.  As  the  reader  would  infer.  Dr.  Worcester 
maintained  the  positions  and  conclusions  of  his  Dis- 
courses, without  the  smallest  retraction,  or  modifica- 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER. 


465 


tion.  If  any  should  now  tlilnk,  that  he  might  have 
spared  some  measure  of  his  searching  and  probing 
operation,  they  might  think  otlierwise,  if  they  better 
knew  the  circumstances,  and,  more  especially,  if  they 
had  ever  been  obliged  to  have  part  in  a  controversial 
discussion,  in  which  they  had  been  grossly  misrepre- 
sented, and  otherwise  maltreated.  And  every  one 
would  concede,  that,  in  some  of  his  closer  and  more 
caustic  strictures  upon  Dr.  Baldwin's  book,*  and  in 
the  mingled  pleasantry  and  sense  of  loathing,  with 
which  another  writer  is  handled,  no  ordinary  talents 
are  indicated,  for  the  argumentum  ad  hominem  and  the 
reductio  ad  absiirdum.  It  is  certain,  that  "  his  reputa- 
tion was  advanced  by  the  part,  which  he  took  in  the 
discussion."  And  some  at  least,  who  are  now  in  the 
Congregational  ministry,  feel  themselves  under  great 
obligations  for  the  aid,  which  they  have  received  from 
his  Discourses  and  Letters  on  Baptism.f 

"  Truth,  indeed,  must  be  exhibited ;  misrepresenta- 
tion must  be  corrected  ;  argument  must  be  applied ; 
fallacy  must  be  exposed  ;  and  error  must  be  exploded. 
But  a  wide  difference  there  certainly  is,  though  but  too 
often  unobserved,  between  the  faithful  severity  of 
truth,  and  the  passionate  asperity  of  prejudice  ;  be- 
tween serious  animadversion,  and  opprobrious  invec- 
tive ;  between  a  solemn  representation  of  fact,  and 
railing  accusation.  And  if  mild  and  dignified  irony, 
or  satire,  be  occasionally  admissible;  it  certainly  but 
ill  becomes  the  Christian  disputant  to  descend  to  low 
and  indiscriminate  ridicule. 

*  "  I  call  use  the  whip,  upon  occasion,"  he  remarked,  in  reply  to  the  com- 
ments of  a  friend  upon  some  passages  in  the  Letters.  Some  thought,  that 
he  could  make  a  feather,  if  he  pleased,  cut  like  a  two-edged  sword. 

t  "  Do  you  remember,"  said  a  worthy  clergyman,  in  INIaine,  a  few  weeks 
since, — "what  your  father  said  of  the  Covenant  of  God  with  Abraham? 
'  It  is  the  GRAND  CHARTER  of  all  our  blessings  in  the  Gospel  I'  I  should 
have  been  a  Baptist,  if  it  had  not  been  for  those  Discourses  and  Lellers." 


466  MEMOIR    OP 

These,  Sir,  are  my  present  impressions ;  and  under 
these  impressions,  I  hope,  undeviatingly,  to  conduct 
my  part  of  this  serious  dispute.  But  I  exceedingly 
regret,  that  in  the  course  of  these  Letters,  some  things 
will  unavoidably  fall  in  my  way,  which  cannot,  I  am 
afraid,  be  justly  noticed,  without  offence.  I  ask  it, 
however,  as  a  piece  of  justice,  not  to  be  blamed,  or 
charged  with  undue  severity,  for  any  fair  and  neces- 
sary  representation,  however  disagreeable,  or  unpleas- 
ant, the  thing  represented  may  be.     *     *     * 

To  'invite  you  to  the  contest,'  as  you  have  been 
pleased  to  intimate,  was  certainly  far  from  my  inten- 
tion. To  instruct  and  establish  the  people  of  my 
charge,  in  what  I  then  believed,  and  still  believe,  to  be 
important  truth,  and  to  fortify  their  minds  against  the 
influence  of  what  I  then  believed,  and  still  believe,  to 
be  hnrtful  error,  was  the  honest  design  of  my  Dis- 
courses ;  which  were  written  and  delivered,  without 
any  view  to  a  publication  from  the  press. 

That  great  exertions  have  been  made  to  raise  a 
prejudice  against  me,  for  the  part  which  I  have  felt  it 
my  duty  to  take,  in  this  common  cause,  I  am  fully 
apprized  ;  and  I  certainly  have  no  pretensions  to  a 
stoical  indifference,  either  to  the  displeasure  of  oppo- 
nents, or  to  the  uncomfortable  feelings  of  honest,  but 
unstable,  or  misjudging  friends.  My  duty,  however, 
I  must  fulfill ;  and  if  any  thing  is  to  be  done  for  the 
cause  of  truth,  and  for  the  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer, 
no  considerations,  of  a  nature  personal  to  myself,  are 
to  deter  me  from  the  attempt." 

The  last  Letter  relates  particularly  to  the  assertion 
of  one  of  his  assailants, — "  that  Mr.  Worcester,  from 
beginning  to  end  of  his  Sermons,  has  been  pleading 
the  cause,  and  for  the  church  and  ordinance  of  Anti- 
christ ;"  that  "  he  is  within  the  limits  of  Antichrist's 
Church,"  &c. ;  and  that  "  anti-pcdobaptists  have  al- 
ways DENIED,  that  the  pedobaptisf  church  is  the  true 
gospel  church^^  &c.  A  single  paragraph  will  denote 
the  character  of  the  answer. 


SAMUEL    WORCESTER.  407 

"  Wlicre,  Sir,  was  your  dcMiominaiion,  wliore  your 
anti-|)('(K)haptist  cluirch,  dnriiifi^  the  four  llioiisaud 
years,  which  prece(U'd  the  corniiic^  of  the  Messiah? 
Bv  your  own  confession  it  was  not  in  existence. — 
Where  was  yonr  anti-pedoba])tist  church,  in  the  prim- 
itive ages  after  Christ,  when  no  one  w^as  ever  known, 
or  heard  of,  who  denied  Infant  Baptism  ?  By  the  tes- 
timony of  the  fatliers,  it  is  plain,  it  was  not  in  exist- 
ence. Where  was  your  anti-})edobaptist  church,  from 
the  fourth  to  the  eleventh  century,  w^hen  according  to 
the  confession  of  your  own  Dr.  Gill,  '  not  a  single  in- 
stance was  to  be  found  of  an  opposer  of  Infant  Bap- 
tism V  Evidently  it  was  not  in  existence. — Where 
was  your  anti-pedobaptist  church,  in  the  days  of  the 
Reformation,  when  Luther  and  Melancthon,  Calvin 
and  Zuinglius,  with  their  faithful  and  intrepid  coadju- 
tors, beat  down  the  bulwarks  of  Antichrist,  and  carried 
terror  and  dismay  to  the  very  seat  of  the  Beast?  Alas ! 
it  began  to  make  its  appearance  a  few  years  after  the 
Reformation  commenced,  and  immediately  arrayed  it- 
self in  the  most  troublesome  opposition  to  the  great 
body  of  the  Reformers. — Where  was  your  anti-pedo- 
baptist church,  in  the  times  of  the  bloody  persecutions, 
succeeding  the  Reformation,  when  millions  of  faithful 
confessors,  in  difierent  parts  of  Europe,  laid  down  their 
lives,  for  the  ivord  of  God.,  and  for  the  testimony  of 
Jesus  Christ  ?  But  little,  indeed,  was  known  of  it,  to 
its  credit ;  but  little  did  it  share  in  the  distinguished 
honors  of  the  Cross. — Where,  in  fine,  was  your  anti- 
pedobaptist  church,  when  our  pious  and  venerable  an- 
cestors abandoned  their  native  country,  and  surmount- 
ing all  the  difficulties  of  the  ocean,  and  of  the  wilder- 
ness, heroically  planted  the  standard  of  the  Cross  in 
this  new  world  ?  In  that  glorious  enterprise  it  had  no 
share." 

In  the  autumn,  he  went  upon  a  northern  tour,  visit- 
ing his  brothers  and  other  relatives,  in  New  Hamp- 
shire and  Vermont.  As  is  too  common  in  such  cir- 
cumstances, he   was   continually  beset  with  applica- 


3 

468  MEMOIR    OF 

tions  to  preach,  or  perform  some  other  service.  His 
love  for  his  calling  would  not  allow  him  to  say  No,  if 
he  had  any  strength  left,  to  say  Yes. 

Of  himself  personally  he  said  little,  in  any  place  or 
situation.  A  few  words  sometimes  escaped  him.  It 
was  seldom,  that  he  wrote  any  reflection  upon  his  own 
life  or  purposes,  although  living  very  fast.  Among 
many  hundreds  of  brief  records,  from  day  to  day,  one 
prominent  and  significant  exception  appears,  Nov.  1, 
1807. — "  Expounded  Mat.  vii.  13,  14.  Afternoon,  Mat. 
vii.  15-20.  Funeral. — This  day,  37  years  old  I  My 
days  are  swifter  than  a  weaver's  shuttle  I" 

With  the  Savior's  words,  expounded  on  that  Sab- 
bath and  that  anniversary  of  tender  and  admonitory 
recollections  and  emotions,  this  volume  of  the  Memoir 
of  his  Life  will  now  be  closed.  "  Enter  ye  in  at  the 
strait  gate  :  for  wide  is  the  gate,  and  broad  is  the  way 
that  leadeth  to  destruction,  and  many  there  be  which 
go  in  thereat.  Because  strait  is  the  gate,  and  narrow 
is  the  way,  which  leadeth  unto  life :  and  few  there  be 
that  find  it. — Beware  of  false  prophets,  which  come  to 
you  in  sheep's  clothing,  but  inwardly  they  are  raven- 
ing wolves.  Ye  shall  know  them  by  their  fruits.  Do 
men  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles  ?  Even 
so  every  good  tree  bringeth  forth  good  fruit ;  but  a 
corrupt  tree  bringeth  forth  evil  fruit.  A  good  tree 
cannot  bring  forth  evil  fruit,  neither  can  a  corrupt  tree 
bring  forth  good  fruit.  Every  tree  that  bringeth  not 
forth  good  fruit,  is  hewn  down,  and  cast  into  the  fire. 
Wherefore  by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them  I" 


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